India Asks Russia for Help in Sending Astronaut to Space in 2022 - Deputy PM

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) - India has asked Russia for help in the implementation of its own space launch project in 2022, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said.

"The Indian side has approached us with a request on the implementation of its own project ensuring the launch of an Indian astronaut into space in 2022," Borisov told reporters.

READ MORE: Russia May Help India to Launch Country's First Manned Space Mission — Reports

Earlier, a source in the Russian space industry told Sputnik that Russia may bring an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station on board a Soyuz spacecraft for a short training mission in 2022.

India has been developing its own space program since 1947, right after the country gained independence. The work has been conducted under the guidance of a government department for space research. Of late India has been stepping up the development of its domestic space vehicle manufacture capabilities. The coordination of activities of various organizations and firms within the national space program, as well as the creation of rocket and space technology, is entrusted to the ISRO.