Space suits for Gaganyaan astronauts under production in Russia

Russian research and development enterprise 'Zvezda' has started manufacturing of suits for Indian astronauts, who are likely to be part of India's first manned mission 'Gaganyaa', a Russian organisation said on Monday. Research, Development and Production Enterprise Zvezda has started manufacturing personal flight equipment for Indian cosmonauts undergoing training in Russia, Glavkosmos said on Monday.

Glavkosmos is a subsidiary of Roscosmos with which Human flight Center (HSC) of city-based Indian Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a contract to train Indian astronauts.

"On September 3, Indian cosmonauts who have been training for a flight in Russia under contract of Glavkosmos, visited Zvezda, where ir anthropometric parameters were measured for subsequent production of suits," Glavkosmos CEO Dmitry Loskutov said.

contract also provides for production of individual seats and custom-made couch liners, he added. contract for production and delivery of individual equipment kits for Indian astronauts was signed by Glavkosmos and HSC on March 11.

Four Indian Air Force fighter pilots are currently under training in Russia since February 10, and likely to be potential candidates for Gaganyaan project. Gaganyaan, India's first manned mission to , was planned around 2022.

However, ISRO has indicated that it may be delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown induced by it.