Business News

“ISRO Set to Launch First Test Vehicle Mission for Gaganyaan Program: A Milestone in India’s Human Spaceflight Journey”

The Entrepreneur Bytes Team September 17, 2023 281

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is set to launch the first test vehicle mission for the Gaganyaan program, marking a significant milestone in India’s maiden human spaceflight venture. Learn about the objectives and preparations for this crucial mission.

ISRO to Launch First Test Vehicle Mission for Gaganyaan in a Month or Two

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is making significant strides in its ambitious Gaganyaan program, India’s maiden human spaceflight venture. In a recent announcement, a key ISRO official revealed that the launch of the first test vehicle mission, designed to validate the crew escape system, is just around the corner, expected to take place within a month or two.

The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India’s capability to send a crew of two to three members into a circular orbit approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. These crew members will embark on a one-to-three-day mission before safely returning to Earth, landing in a designated location in Indian sea waters.

The initial phase of the program includes a series of four abort missions. The first of these missions, known as TV-D1, will be followed by the second test vehicle mission, TV-D2, and the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan, LVM3-G1. Subsequently, ISRO has planned the second series of test vehicle missions (TV-D3 and D4) and the LVM3-G2 mission, which will carry a robotic payload.

The critical aspect of the upcoming test vehicle mission is the validation of the crew escape system. This system plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of astronauts in the event of an emergency, either at the launch pad or during the ascent phase. The mission is scheduled to take place from the Sriharikota launch site.

ISRO’s heavy-lift launcher, the LVM3 rocket, has been identified as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission. To meet human rating requirements, all systems within the LVM3 have been reconfigured and designated as Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3).

HLVM3 incorporates a Crew Escape System (CES) powered by high-burn-rate solid motors, enabling the rapid evacuation of the Crew Module (CM) and crew to a safe distance during emergencies. The CM, part of the Orbital Module (OM), provides a habitable space with an Earth-like environment for the crew, housing essential interfaces, life support systems, avionics, and deceleration systems. The Service Module (SM), also part of the OM, offers necessary support to the CM while in orbit, including thermal and propulsion systems, power systems, avionics, and deployment mechanisms.

This upcoming mission signifies a significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors, highlighting ISRO’s dedication to achieving human spaceflight capabilities. The success of the test vehicle missions will lay the foundation for the eventual crewed mission of Gaganyaan, a momentous achievement for the nation.

As India prepares to enter the realm of human spaceflight, the Gaganyaan program underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities and contributing to scientific progress on a global scale.

Sources By Agencies