Bengaluru, NAFPost: In a groundbreaking development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the brink of a significant milestone as it readies itself for the inaugural test flight of the Gaganyaan Mission, slated for October 21. This mission marks India’s inaugural foray into manned space exploration, heralding a new era in the nation’s space endeavours.
Announcing this monumental step, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Space, Science, and Technology, revealed that the highly anticipated test flight will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, a renowned launch facility. The focal point of this mission lies in the evaluation of the ‘crew module’ – a critical component that will serve as the habitat for Indian astronauts during their sojourn into space. The success of the crew module is paramount, as it directly influences the safety and well-being of the astronauts embarking on this historic voyage.
This test mission is designed to launch the crew module into outer space and facilitate its safe return to Earth, culminating in a flawless touchdown in the Bay of Bengal. To ensure a seamless and secure recovery process, the Indian Navy has initiated mock operations, preparing for this momentous occasion. The recovery phase is of paramount importance, ensuring the astronauts’ safe return to the Earth’s surface.
Accompanying the crew module is the ‘crew escape system,’ a failsafe mechanism meticulously crafted to safeguard astronauts in the event of complications during the spacecraft’s ascent. This system’s primary function is to promptly disengage from the spacecraft and guide the crew to safety back on Earth, where they will be retrieved by dedicated Navy personnel. The crew escape system’s seamless operation is crucial to the overall success and safety of the mission.
The inaugural test in this series, referred to as the Test Vehicle Abort Mission (TV-D1), mirrors the actual mission conditions, albeit with an ‘unpressurized’ crew module. This scenario allows for a thorough assessment of the system’s performance without subjecting the astronauts to undue risk.
The test vehicle, a single-stage liquid-fueled rocket purpose-built for this abort mission, carries payloads including the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES). During the launch phase, the CES will disengage from the CM at an altitude of approximately 17 kilometres. The sequence will then autonomously execute the necessary steps, culminating in a safe landing of the CM in the sea, roughly 10 kilometres off the coast of Sriharikota.
The success of the TV-D1 test mission represents a critical milestone in ISRO’s preparations for the Gaganyaan mission. This achievement not only validates the technology and systems but also lays the groundwork for subsequent unmanned and, ultimately, manned Gaganyaan missions. These missions hold immense promise for India’s role in the global landscape of space exploration.
In an additional announcement, Mr. Jitendra Singh disclosed that a test flight scheduled for the following year will introduce “Vyommitra,” a female robot astronaut. This unique mission signifies yet another stride forward in India’s pursuit of scientific and technological excellence, underscoring its dedication to inclusivity and diversity in the realm of space exploration.
