National News

First unmanned space flight set to be launched

India’s first unmanned space flight as part of the ‘Gaganyaan’ mission is scheduled to be launched in December this

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: India's first unmanned space flight as part of the 'Gaganyaan' mission is scheduled to be launched in December this year, Union Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman said on Monday. Initially planned for December 2020, the launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Four Indian astronauts are being trained in Russia. The first unmanned launch, the precursor to a manned mission, is scheduled for December 2021," Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget on Monday. Two unmanned GSLV rockets will be tested before the actual human flight takes place. The Finance Minister also said that the NSIL will execute the PSLV-CS51 launch, carrying the Amazonia Satellite from Brazil, along with a few smaller Indian satellites. (IANS)