Augmented Reality (AR) and multimodal human–machine interfaces (HMI)—combining visual overlays, voice, gesture, eye-tracking, and biometric sensing—are now maturing into flight-relevant technologies capable of transforming astronaut training and in-orbit operations. These interfaces reduce task time, lower error rates, and mitigate cognitive load, thereby strengthening both crew autonomy and mission safety. For India, the timing is critical: Gaganyaan human spaceflight program is approaching decisive crewed missions in the late 2020s, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is targeted for the 2030s. AR/MMI can be positioned not as an accessory but as a core enabling system for training throughput, real-time crew support, and resilient station operations.
This paper provides (i) an overview of India’s current scenario, including Gaganyaan astronaut training ecosystems, IIT Madras collaborations on AR/VR, and Vyommitra humanoid readiness; (ii) synthesis of global case studies—NASA Sidekick (HoloLens), T2-AR treadmill maintenance, ESA/DLR METERON (AR+telerobotics)—demonstrating measurable gains; (iii) presentation of system architecture tailored for ISRO, incorporating bilingual (Hindi/English) ASR, evidence-gated procedure engines, and cognitive-load–sensitive overlays; (iv) algorithms and programming examples for AR-driven FSMs and workload adaptation; (v) simulation-backed datasets showing 20–30% task-time reduction and ~40–55% error-rate reduction; and (vi) a roadmap for deploying AR/MMI in India’s human spaceflight from 2025 through 2040.
The findings reinforce that AR/MMI deployment can cut training times, reduce crew fatigue, and significantly improve safety margins. Recommendations include establishing an HSFC AR/MMI laboratory, conducting structured A/B validation trials, and committing resources for on-orbit demonstrations during BAS early utilization phases. India’s commitment to Atmanirbhar electronics and bilingual adaptability positions ISRO to become a global leader in human-centered crew systems.