The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to make history with its upcoming Gaganyaan mission, a bold effort aimed at sending a crew of three astronauts into low-Earth orbit and bringing them back safely to Earth. This mission will make India one of the few nations with active human spaceflight programs, alongside the United States, Russia, and China. Here's a detailed look at the Gaganyaan mission, its components, and the technology that makes it all possible.
Human Space Flight Central (HSFC)
The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) plays a Crucial role in ISRO's Gaganyaan program. It coordinates efforts across ISRO centers, research labs in India, academic institutions, and industries to ensure the mission's success. HSFC is responsible for the development of new technologies, such as life support systems, human factors engineering, bioastronautics, crew training, and human rating & certification. These technologies are essential for the Gaganyaan mission and for future human spaceflight activities, such as rendezvous and docking, space station building, and interplanetary missions to the Moon and Mars.
Gaganyaan Misssion Overview
The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capacity by sending a crew of three astronauts into orbit for three days. The astronauts will be launched into an orbit of 400 km and returned safely to Earth, landing in Indian sea waters. This ambitious project requires an optimal strategy that combines ISRO's in-house expertise, the experience of Indian industry, the intellectual capabilities of Indian academic and research institutions, and the use of cutting-edge technologies from international agencies.
To achieve this, several critical technologies must be developed, including a human-rated launch vehicle, life support systems, crew emergency escape provisions, and systems for crew training, recovery, and rehabilitation.
Gaganyaan Mission Precursor Tests
Before the actual human spaceflight mission, ISRO has planned several intial tests to demonstrate the technology's preparedness. These include:
- Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT)
- Pad Abort Test (PAT)
- Test Vehicle (TV) Flights
These tests are meant to confirm the safety and reliability of all systems in the Gaganyaan mission. By conducting these remote-controlled tests, ISRO can identify and address any issues before sending a crew into space.
Human-Rated Launch Vehicle: LVM3
The LVM3 rocket, ISRO's heavy-lift launcher, has been chosen as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission. This rocket consists of solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages and has been reconfigured to meet human-rating requirements. It is now known as the Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3). The HLVM3 will launch the Orbital Module into a low Earth orbit at 400 km.
One critical safety feature of the HLVM3 is the Crew Escape System (CES), which uses high-burn-rate solid motors to rapidly move the Crew Module to a safe distance in case of an emergency during launch. This system is a crucial safety measure for human spaceflight.
Orbital Module and Crew Module
The Orbital Module (OM) that orbits Earth consists of two main components: the Crew Module (CM) and the Service Module (SM). The OM comes with advanced avionics systems and built-in redundancies to safeguard human safety.
The Crew Module is where the astronauts will live and work during their mission. It provides a comfortable space with an Earth-like environment and houses critical systems such as life support, avionics, and deceleration systems. It is designed for re-entry and ensures the crew's safety during descent and touchdown.
The Service Module supports the Crew Module while in orbit. It contains propulsion systems, power systems, thermal systems, avionics, and deployment mechanisms.
Crew Training and Safety
Human safety is the first and top priority for the Gaganyaan mission. To ensure this, ISRO has developed various new technologies and training programs. The Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru provides a comprehensive training program for the crew. This includes classroom training, physical fitness training, simulator training, and flight suit training. The training modules cover academic courses, Gaganyaan flight systems, microgravity familiarization, aero-medical training, recovery, survival training, and mastering of flight procedures.
The training also includes periodical flying practice and yoga to maintain physical and mental fitness. These rigorous training programs are essential to ensure that the crew is well-prepared for the mission and can handle any situation that arises.
Gaganyaan's Mission Definition and Objectives
The Gaganyaan mission's primary purpose is to expose India's capability to produce, qualify, and use the technologies required for human spaceflight. The mission's specific objectives include:
- Flight demonstration and evaluation of Test Vehicle subsystems
- Flight demonstration and evaluation of the Crew Escape System
- Demonstration of Crew Module characteristics, deceleration systems, and its recovery
The mission is expected to cost 90 billion rupees (approximately $1 billion), with the first uncrewed test flight planned for 2024. A second uncrewed test flight and the first crewed flight are planned for 2025. The mission has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but ISRO is determined to move forward with this historic attempt.
The Gaganyaan mission is a monumental step for ISRO and India's space ambitions. It represents the culmination of years of research, development, and collaboration across various fields and industries. As ISRO continues its journey toward human spaceflight, the world eagerly looks forward to the successful launch and return of the Gaganyaan crew. With a solid foundation of technology, training, and safety measures, ISRO is well on its way to joining the elite group of nations with human spaceflight capabilities.
