India is preparing for a historic moment this December. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send its first humanoid robot, Vyommitra, into space — a crucial step toward sending humans on future missions.
Meet Vyommitra — India’s ‘Friend in Space’
Vyommitra is a semi-humanoid robot developed by ISRO to assist in human space missions under the Gaganyaan programme, India’s first crewed spaceflight project. The name comes from Sanskrit: Vyoma means space, and Mitra means friend — together, “friend in space.”
Unveiled in 2020, Vyommitra is designed not as a dummy but as an intelligent companion. With expressive facial features, speech abilities, and advanced sensors, she can perform technical tasks, respond to commands, and even communicate with mission control.
What Vyommitra Will Do
Before Indian astronauts — or “vyomanauts,” as ISRO calls them — travel to space, Gaganyaan will undergo a series of uncrewed test flights. Vyommitra will be on board these missions to simulate human presence and test spacecraft systems.
Her main responsibilities include:
- Operating control panels and switches.
- Monitoring cabin conditions like temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels.
- Sending real-time updates to ground control.
- Mimicking human physiological responses using embedded sensors.
- Recognising and responding to commands in English and Hindi.
This setup helps ISRO study how spacecraft systems behave in human-like conditions, improving safety and reliability for future astronauts.
How Vyommitra Thinks and Moves
Vyommitra combines robotics and artificial intelligence to act as a bridge between humans and machines in space. She can make basic decisions, react to routine situations, and handle anomalies during flight — a key feature for missions where communication delays can occur.
Her AI module allows her to:
- Identify control panels through vision-based recognition.
- Execute tasks autonomously or under mission control guidance.
- Emulate gestures and movements similar to human behavior.
The Road Ahead
ISRO Chief V. Narayanan recently confirmed that the Vyommitra project is in its final stages. The first uncrewed mission, featuring Vyommitra, is scheduled for December. Two more test missions will follow before India sends astronauts to space by early 2027.
Vyommitra represents more than technological progress — she marks India’s entry into human-rated space systems. Her design blends robotics, AI, and space engineering, showcasing ISRO’s ability to innovate across disciplines.
Looking ahead, Vyommitra’s technology could evolve beyond Gaganyaan — aiding in satellite operations, planetary exploration, or even future lunar bases.
