India okays 1st manned space mission

India yesterday said it would send a three-member crew in its first manned mission to the space as part of a project worth Rs 10,000 crore.

The project, named Gaganyaan, was okayed at a meeting of the federal Indian cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The manned space mission, expected to be launched by the year 2022, would demonstrate India's capability for low earth orbit.

The mission, which is expected to last for a maximum period of seven days, will make India the fourth country in the world to send a human to space.

India's biggest rocket Geo Synchronised Launch Vehicle Mk III will be used to carry the crew to the space, an official statement said.

The necessary infrastructure for crew training, realisation of flight systems and ground infrastructure will be established to support the manned space programme. 

Two unmanned flights and one manned flight will be undertaken as part of the programme which will establish a broader framework for collaboration among ISRO, academia, industry, national agencies and other scientific organisations.