India plans to spend $1.4 billion to send a crew of three to space by 2022

India, the world's cheapest space explorer, is competing with the likes of the US, China, Russia and billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in exploring space

India plans to spend $1.4 billion to send a crew of three to space by 2022, spurred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal that will help the country break into an elite club.

A module with three astronauts will be launched from Sriharikota, a tiny barrier island in southeastern India, taking the passengers on a seven-day voyage around the Earth, according to the government. The capsule will then land in the Arabian sea, near the western coastal state of Gujarat.

India, the world’s cheapest space explorer, is competing with the likes of the US, China, Russia and billionaires such as Jeff Bezos