Space Tourism from India to be reality but no fixed time line yet: Minister to MP Arora

Ludhiana, July 28, 2024: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has carried out few technical feasibility studies for a sub-orbital space tourism mission. Results of these studies include basic configuration of space module for safe tourism and a liquid propellant stage booster for launching the module.

This has been mentioned in his reply by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh. He was answering to questions on feasibility study for space tourism asked by MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora in budget session of the Rajya Sabha. The Minister further answered that in view of the commercial potential of Space Tourism, Department of Space envisages its commercial exploitation through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). 

Arora had asked about the status of accomplishment of Gaganyaan mission; the results of the feasibility studies for a sub-orbital space tourism mission; and the expected timeline for the same. 

Giving this information here today, Arora said the Minister further mentioned in his reply that the major accomplishment of Gaganyaan Programme is that ground testing of propulsion stages, including solid, liquid and cryogenic engine, towards human rating of the launch vehicle has been completed. Design and realization of five types of Crew Escape System solid motors has also been completed. Static testing of all five types of solid motors is also completed. Besides, First Test Vehicle mission (TV-D1) for the validation of crew escape system and parachute deployment has been successfully accomplished.

Regarding Orbital Module Systems, the Minister mentioned that Design of Crew Module and Service Module structure have been completed. Various Parachute Systems have been tested through Integrated Main parachute Air drop Test and Rail Track Rocket Sledge Tests. Ground test programme towards human rating of Crew Module Propulsion System has been completed and Service Module Propulsion System test programme is nearing completion. Characterization of Thermal Protection System has been completed.

The Minister while giving information about Gaganyatri Training, mentioned that two out of three semesters of the training programme are completed. Independent Training Simulator and Static Mockup Simulators have been realized.

With regard to Major Ground Infrastructure, the Minister mentioned that critical ground facilities such as Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Astronaut Training Facility, and Oxygen Testing Facility have been operationalized.

The Minister with regard to Gaganyaan First Uncrewed mission mentioned that Solid and Liquid Propulsion Stages of human rated launch vehicle are ready for flight integration. C32 Cryogenic stage is nearing completion. Crew Module and Service Module structure realization is completed. Flight integration activities are in progress.