Vyommitra (Sanskrit: Vyōma "space", Mitra "friend") is a female humanoid robot designed for space travel. She was designed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to function aboard the spacecraft Gaganyaan, a crewed orbital spacecraft. Vyommitra was first unveiled on 22 January 2020 at the Human Spaceflight and Exploration Symposium in Bengaluru.[1][2]
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| Manufacturer | Indian Space Research Organisation |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Year of creation | 2020 |
| Type | Humanoid robot |
| Purpose | Space-faring robot |
Built mostly out of an aluminium alloy to withstand high pressure and Vibrations,[3] She will accompany Indian astronauts on space missions and be a part of uncrewed experimental Gaganyaan missions before the crewed flights.[4][5] It is presumed that she will take her first flight on the Gaganyaan G-2 unmanned mission in 2025.[3]
Objectives and abilities
editThe robot is part of the ISRO's aim to substitute animals with humanoid robots on experimental missions, with the goal of better understanding the effects of prolonged exposure to radiation and microgravity environments on the human body during space travel.[6]
Vyommitra can mimic human activity, recognise various humans, and respond to their queries[4] in both Hindi and English. The robot is expected to be aboard uncrewed Gaganyaan missions to conduct experiments in microgravity environments and monitor module parameters. In crewed missions, she will also support astronauts by simulating human functions.[7][8][9] She can handle environment control and life support systems,[5] perform switch panel operations, and give environmental air pressure change warnings.[7][10]
The prototype models of Vyommitra have finished trials,[when?] and the engineering models are undergoing trials. The Vyommitra flight model to be used in the Gaganyaan missions is also being built by the ISRO.[needs update]
Union Minister of State, Jitendra Singh, said in early February 2024 that the uncrewed Vyommitra mission is scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, while the crewed mission is scheduled for launch in 2025.[11][12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Dwarakanath, Nagarjun (22 January 2020). "Gaganyaan mission: Meet Vyommitra, the talking human robot that Isro will send to space". India Today. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "IAA-ISRO-ASI Symposium on Human Space Flight and Exploration was organised at Bangalore". www.isro.gov.in. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ a b https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/isro-design-skull-humanoid-gaganyaan-mission-9534361/lite/
- ^ a b "Meet Vyom Mitra, first Indian 'woman' to ride to space". The Hindu. 22 January 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ a b "ISRO to send humanoid Vyommitra in unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft ahead of human spaceflight". The Economic Times. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Why is India sending robots into space?". 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ a b Kumar, Chethan (22 January 2020). "Gaganyaan mission: First glimpse of 'Vyommitra', the humanoid for Gaganyaan; it's a 'She' | India News". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "Vyommitra is ready to launch with Gaganyaan". The Indian Express. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "'व्योममित्रा'ची पहिली झलक! भारताकडून 'ती' पहिल्यांदा जाणार अवकाशात". Loksatta (in Marathi). 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "Isro unveils humanoid that will take Gaganyaan flight". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "Woman Robot Astronaut 'Vyommitra' Ready For Solo Space Mission Ahead Of ISRO's 'Gaganyaan'". News18. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Isro's woman robot astronaut 'Vyommitra' to fly into space in third quarter of this year: Minister Jitendra Singh". The Times of India. 4 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 February 2024.