India to send legless half-humanoid Vyommitra into space

Indian space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send a half-humanoid female Vyommitra into space who can recognise humans and answer questions as well as carry out some experiments.

"The plan is a part of ISRO's human space mission programme Gaganyaan," said officials.

It is called half-humanoid since it does not have legs, though it can bend forward and sideways.

The robot − Vyommitra − was unveiled by the ISRO in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Hands of Vyommitra are being displayed during unveiling ceremony. Reuters

It can monitor biological parameters and operate switch panels and life-support activities. Vyommitra can also converse with astronauts.

ISRO Chairman K.Sivan had said that two test space missions would be carried out before sending three Indian astronauts into space sometime in 2022.

The test missions expected by this year-end and mid-2021 will validate ISRO's crew module and its systems.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is shortlisting four astronauts to get trained in Russia for the purpose.

The Indian space agency has already developed systems for space capsule re-entry, recovery and crew escape.