India gets ready to send a robot into space
Gaganyaan means “sky vehicle”. It is the capsule that will one day carry Indian astronauts into space on an Indian rocket. Only three countries have done that so far: Russia, America and China.
Before people ride in it, India’s space agency, ISRO, will test it without a crew. A robot called Vyommitra (“space friend”) will ride along to check things like temperature and air inside.
The capsule is fully built. The first test flight is expected around November, after ISRO launches its next satellite. Space launches often move, so watch this space!
At Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, a cheetah mother born in India had five cubs. India’s cheetah family reached 60. Sadly, one cub has since died, which can happen with wild baby animals. The others are being watched closely.
Cheetahs once lived in India but disappeared about 70 years ago. In 2022, India began bringing them back from Africa. Now many cubs are being born here!
A person trained to travel into space. In India, they are called gaganyatris.