Meet Vyommitra — India’s first space humanoid!
ISRO’s Humanoid ‘Vyommitra’ Gears Up for Gaganyaan — India’s Spacefriend Ready for Launch
In a quiet ISRO lab, a half-humanoid with expressive eyes and a calm mechanical voice is preparing to take a giant leap for Indian spaceflight. Meet Vyommitra — India’s first “space friend” — who will ride aboard the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, rehearsing every move a human astronaut would make.
The Human Touch to India’s Space Dream
Vyommitra, whose name fuses the Sanskrit words Vyoma (space) and Mitra (friend), isn’t just a showpiece. She can speak, listen, respond, and operate spacecraft panels, testing life-support systems and cabin environments just as a human would. Her creators call her a “smart crew interface,” built to simulate astronaut behaviour in zero gravity.
With AI-powered voice interaction, environmental sensors, and dexterous robotic arms, Vyommitra can perform routine tasks — from checking oxygen levels to alerting mission control about system changes. She even converses in English and Hindi, a uniquely Indian twist to human-robot teamwork in space.
Vyommitra: India’s First Humanoid Robot in Space
Developed primarily at the Central Tools and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar, Vyommitra has been meticulously engineered to replicate human functions in space. The robot features a head, two arms, and an upper human-like torso, enabling it to perform a wide range of cabin tasks during flight.
ISRO officials have confirmed that Vyommitra will monitor temperature, pressure, and other environmental parameters, transmitting real-time data to mission control throughout its expected two-year operational span in orbit. It will also handle scanning and radar-based assessments, crucial for evaluating spacecraft performance under microgravity.
The humanoid project reportedly cost between ₹40–50 lakh and was completed in about four months at CTTC, with engineers and production managers overseeing every stage of its fabrication and testing.
“Vyommitra is the first Indian humanoid to travel in space. Its instruments and onboard systems will relay vital information about space conditions, paving the way for future human missions,” said Asik Rasid, Senior Production Manager at CTTC.
State-of-the-Art Design and Materials
Vyommitra embodies cutting-edge Indian engineering, combining 3D-printed aluminium, stainless steel, and titanium components — each designed to withstand extreme temperatures and radiation in low Earth orbit.
According to K. Vijay Kumar, Production Manager at CTTC, the humanoid’s critical components underwent nearly two years of material research before finalisation. “The structural parts of the Vyommitra robot are made using 3D-printing technology. We have already made several parts, and ISRO has already taken a demo of those,” Kumar said.
CTTC’s contribution to India’s space missions extends well beyond Vyommitra. The centre has previously built high-precision components for Chandrayaan lunar missions, ISRO rockets, missiles, and even MIG aircraft, cementing its reputation as a key pillar in the nation’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.
The Mission Behind the Machine
Before India sends its astronauts into orbit, Vyommitra will take the first ride to ensure everything inside the Gaganyaan crew module works flawlessly. A few days ago, ISRO Chief V. Narayanan told the media in Coimbatore that the first uncrewed mission, scheduled this December, will carry Vyommitra instead of a human. “Once this mission succeeds, we plan to conduct two more uncrewed flights next year,” he added.
Her flight will allow ISRO to test navigation, communication, and life-support systems in real space conditions — without risking human lives. Vyommitra will travel on the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, tentatively scheduled for 2025 by December, acting as both a test subject and a data-rich observer. Every signal she transmits back to Earth will help ISRO fine-tune its systems before human astronauts embark on future missions.
Built in India, for the Stars
Vyommitra’s development showcases the best of India’s indigenous space technology — a blend of robotics, AI, and advanced materials. Designed to endure the rigours of launch, orbit, and re-entry, she represents ISRO’s growing confidence in merging human-like intelligence with space-grade resilience.
Beyond the Wires — Symbol of a New Era
Vyommitra is more than a humanoid; she’s a symbol of India’s confidence and creativity — a fusion of science, emotion, and national ambition. As the world watches Gaganyaan inch closer to liftoff, Vyommitra will stand as a living emblem of India’s bold step toward human space exploration.
When the countdown begins and the engines roar, Vyommitra won’t just be another machine aboard a rocket. She’ll be India’s calm, intelligent voice in orbit — ready to say, “All systems go.”
