Vyommitra Explained

Vyommitra
Manufacturer:Indian Space Research Organisation
Country:India
Type:Humanoid robot
Purpose:Space-faring robot

Vyommitra (Sanskrit: Sanskrit: Vyōma "space", Sanskrit: Mitra "friend") is a female humanoid robot designed for space travel. She was 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]

She will accompany Indian astronauts on space missions and be a part of uncrewed experimental Gaganyaan missions before the crewed flights.[3] [4]

Objectives and abilities

The 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.[5]

Vyommitra can mimic human activity, recognise various humans, and respond to their queries 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.[6] [7] [8] She can handle environment control and life support systems, perform switch panel operations, and give environmental air pressure change warnings.[9]

The prototype models of Vyommitra have finished trials, 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.

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.[10] [11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gaganyaan mission: Meet Vyommitra, the talking human robot that Isro will send to space. Dwarakanath. Nagarjun. 22 January 2020. India Today. en . 2020-01-22.
  2. Web site: IAA-ISRO-ASI Symposium on Human Space Flight and Exploration was organised at Bangalore. www.isro.gov.in. 2020-01-24. 2020-01-25. 4 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220804152242/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/24-jan-2020/iaa-isro-asi-symposium-human-space-flight-and-exploration-was-organised-bangalore. dead.
  3. News: 2020-01-22 . Meet Vyom Mitra, first Indian 'woman' to ride to space . 2020-01-23 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  4. News: 24 Jan 2020 . ISRO to send humanoid Vyommitra in unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft ahead of human spaceflight . 29 Aug 2021 . The Economic Times.
  5. News: Why is India sending robots into space?. 2019-07-25. 2020-01-25. en.
  6. News: Gaganyaan mission: First glimpse of 'Vyommitra', the humanoid for Gaganyaan; it's a 'She' India News . Chethan . Kumar . TNN . The Times of India. en. 2020-01-22 . 22 January 2020 .
  7. Web site: 2020-01-22 . Vyommitra is ready to launch with Gaganyaan . 2020-01-22 . The Indian Express . en-US.
  8. Web site: 'व्योममित्रा'ची पहिली झलक! भारताकडून 'ती' पहिल्यांदा जाणार अवकाशात. 2020-01-22. Loksatta. mr-IN. 2020-01-22.
  9. Web site: 2020-01-22 . Isro unveils humanoid that will take Gaganyaan flight . 2024-07-08 . Hindustan Times . en.
  10. Web site: 2024-02-04 . Woman Robot Astronaut 'Vyommitra' Ready For Solo Space Mission Ahead Of ISRO's 'Gaganyaan' . 2024-02-04 . News18 . en.
  11. News: 2024-02-04 . Isro's woman robot astronaut 'Vyommitra' to fly into space in third quarter of this year: Minister Jitendra Singh . 2024-02-04 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.