In a significant milestone for India's ambitious human spaceflight mission, ISRO has successfully conducted two hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS). The tests took place on July 3, 2025, at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

The short-duration tests - lasting 30 seconds and 100 seconds respectively - were aimed at validating the configuration and performance of the SMPS test article, ISRO said in an official statement. The propulsion system plays a crucial role in orbit-raising maneuvers and re-entry operations for the Gaganyaan mission.

Engineers tested multiple subsystems including thrusters, tanks, feed lines, and valves, under flight-representative conditions. ISRO confirmed that the tests went as planned, bringing the space agency one step closer to its goal of sending Indian astronauts into space.

The Gaganyaan mission, which aims to carry Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit, is expected to launch in the near future following a series of unmanned and safety validation flights.

This successful testing marks a major technological achievement for India’s space ambitions.