A security guard stands behind the logo of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its headquarters in Bengaluru, India, June 12, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Reuters) - India will conduct a key test in its ambitious space mission Gaganyaan on Oct. 21, launching an empty module into outer space and bringing it back to earth, deputy minister for science and technology Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. It will be followed by another test flight carrying a robot to outer space before the final manned mission takes place, the minister said. "Before the ultimate manned 'Gaganyaan' mission, there will be a test flight next year, which will carry Vyommitra, the female robot astronaut," he said. Singh was speaking at a program to commend Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists associated with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first country to land on the south pole of the moon.

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Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Jitendra Singh, Satish, Singh, Sakshi Dayal, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, REUTERS, Space, Space Research Organisation, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru, India, DELHI, Sriharikota