India’s inaugural crewed space mission, Gaganyaan, is set to embark on its first unmanned test flight, known as Gaganyaan-1, by the close of 2024. This mission aims to assess the technological preparedness for the subsequent manned mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the names of the astronauts designated for the mission during his announcement. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, all from the Indian Air Force, were selected for this historic endeavor. Recognized for their extensive experience as test pilots, they are currently undergoing rigorous training in preparation for the mission.
Modi conferred upon them the esteemed astronaut wings, hailing them as “four forces” embodying the aspirations and optimism of India’s 1.4 billion people.
The announcement took place at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thumba, Kerala, following recent successful tests conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the human readiness of the cryogenic engine designated for the Gaganyaan mission vehicles.
India’s Gaganyaan mission is progressing steadily, with the first unmanned test flight, Gaganyaan-1, slated for the end of 2024. Following this, the manned mission will carry a three-member crew into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a duration of three days.
The journey towards Gaganyaan traces back to 1984 when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Salyut 7. India commenced work on its indigenous orbital vehicle mission, later named Gaganyaan, in 2006. With the recent announcement of astronauts-designate, various aspects of the mission are gaining momentum.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has designated its LVM3 rocket for all Gaganyaan missions. Formerly known as GSLV-MkIII, LVM3 stands as ISRO’s most robust launch vehicle, boasting a flawless track record with seven successful launches. Comprising liquid, solid, and cryogenic stages, the rocket has been meticulously reconfigured by ISRO to adhere to human rating requirements.
On February 14, crucial tests were conducted on the cryogenic engine, CE20, a pivotal component of the mission. The engine aced the final tests, earning certification for missions involving human transportation to space.
The Vikas engine designated for the liquid stage and the solid booster, integral to the solid stage, have already met the necessary qualifications for the upcoming missions.
Furthermore, the special flight engine, designed to ignite at liftoff, has successfully undergone acceptance tests. These tests rigorously assess the performance of the hardware in accordance with mission requirements. Upon certification, the technology or development is seamlessly integrated into the final mission.
Preparations for the human space flight encompass the development of life support systems aimed at creating an Earth-like environment for the crew during their time in space. Additionally, provisions are being made for emergency escape measures, alongside the refinement of crew management aspects including training, recovery, and rehabilitation procedures.
Precursor missions like Gaganyaan-1 are pivotal in showcasing the technological readiness levels ahead of the manned mission. In the unmanned mission, an unpressurized crew module—housing the capsule where the astronauts will be situated during the human flight—will be transported to space and safely returned to Earth.
The Gaganyaan-1 mission’s crew module will notably lack the Environment Control and Life Support System, responsible for maintaining an Earth-like environment within the module. Currently, ISRO is actively engaged in the development and testing of various components of this system at its laboratories.
An ISRO official highlighted that Gaganyaan-1’s primary objectives revolve around testing the safe re-entry of the crew module and ensuring its proper orientation upon splashdown in the sea.
A subsequent unmanned flight is in the pipeline, featuring a pressurized crew module wherein the complete life support system will undergo rigorous testing. This flight will also introduce the robot Vyommitra, tasked with recording all relevant parameters to study the flight’s impact on humans.
However, the precise schedules for these missions remain uncertain. According to the ISRO official, the dynamic nature of this mission requires continuous adjustments and refinements based on the outcomes of each test, making the planning process more challenging compared to other launches where established procedures are in place.
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