India is set to mark a historic moment in space exploration this December as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to launch Vyommitra, the country’s first humanoid robot, on its maiden human spaceflight test under the Gaganyaan mission.

Derived from Sanskrit, “Vyoma” meaning space and “Mitra” meaning friend, Vyommitra translates to “Friend in Space.” Designed to emulate human functions, she can speak, recognize voices, express emotions, and operate control systems, serving as a vital bridge between automation and human space travel.

Vyommitra will monitor cabin conditions, operate onboard systems, communicate with ground control, and perform diagnostic checks to ensure the spacecraft’s safety and performance. Her semi-autonomous design integrates AI-driven sensors, speech recognition, and decision-making algorithms, enabling her to respond intelligently in both English and Hindi.

The uncrewed mission aims to validate life-support and crew module systems ahead of India’s first astronaut mission planned for 2027. Vyommitra’s success will position India among global space leaders, showcasing indigenous capabilities in AI, robotics, and space engineering.