India launches key test for manned orbital mission

India successfully launched the first unmanned trial run of its upcoming crewed orbital mission on Saturday, in the latest milestone for its spacefaring ambitions. The Gaganyaan mission is slated to send three astronauts into Earth's orbit in 2025, an important milestone of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) technical capabilities.
Saturday's rocket tested the emergency escape system of its crew module, which separated from the thruster and made a soft sea landing about 10 minutes after the launch. ISRO will conduct a series of 20 major tests, including carrying a robot to outer space, before the final manned mission.