Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced an ambitious mission of sending an Indian astronaut to space by 2022 on board “Gaganyaan”.  

The mission, he said in his Independence Day address, would be launched using Isro’s own capabilities, and on successful completion, make India the fourth nation in the world to do so.

“Our country has been making a lot of progress in the area of space (science). When India celebrates its 75th Independence Day, or even before that, an Indian son or daughter will undertake a manned space mission on board ‘Gaganyaan’, carrying the national flag,” Mr Modi said from the Red Fort.