COIMBATORE: About 95% of initial phase tests for Indian Space Research Organisation’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme is complete, Narayanan Appu, director, ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, said on Monday. He said Isro would conduct three uncrewed spacecraft test missions — G1, G2 and G3 — to validate crew safety systems before sending Indian astronauts to space.The first uncrewed test is planned by the end of this year, followed by two more tests in six-month intervals, with India’s human spaceflight targeted for mid-2028.Appu said India is working on a national space station named Bharatiya Antariksha Station, comprising five modules. Work on the first two modules is progressing, and the first module is expected to be launched by the end of 2028.Appu was speaking on the sidelines of World Space Week Festival 2026, jointly organised by Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology and Isro here. He inaugurated the three-day exhibition.Addressing reporters, Appu said Isro was hosting the Coimbatore space exhibition to inspire students towards science. He said foundational science and modern tools such as AI were both essential and urged students to focus on conceptual understanding beyond exam scores.He added that recruitment to vacant posts in ISRO would be done strictly on merit and that construction of the small satellite launch facility at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district is around 80% complete.IPRC deputy director SS Murugan delivered the welcome address, IPRC group head P Gauthaman introduced the festival theme, and Coimbatore district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar attended as chief guest.The exhibition is open daily to the public and students free of charge from 9am to 6pm.
