ISRO Gaganyaan Mission : An important test successfully conducted

After an initial technical snag, the test for the emergency escape system was conducted successfully in the next few minutes

(Credits:Indian Tech & Infra)

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) – Under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, a test of its emergency escape system was successfully conducted on the 21st of October 2023 at Captain Satish Dhawan Centre.  The test vehicle, which was carrying crew safety-related payloads, was launched to demonstrate the performance of the crew escape system. It was declared that all stages of the escape system were completed as per the plan. Now, another test of ‘Gaganyaan’ will be conducted in the next few months. The ‘Gaganyaan’ project envisages a human spaceflight, bringing them back safely to earth by landing in Indian waters. It will now be possible to bring back the astronauts in case of a technical snag in the spacecraft.

(Credits:The Economic Times)

The spacecraft is carried on the upper part of the launching vehicle. In case of any technical glitch at the time of lift-off or after, the vehicle is likely to explode since it carries thousands of tonnes of explosive fuel. The safety of the crew is, therefore, of importance and the craft is separated from the main launching vehicle in such case and brought back safely to earth.

Three crew members to cover 400 km distance in the ‘Gaganyaan’ project

A 3-member crew will be sent on a 3-day mission above 400 km orbit of Earth and the crew module of the spacecraft, with the crew, will be safely landed in the sea. If the actual ‘Gaganyaan’ mission succeeds, India will join a short and exclusive list of countries that have launched a crewed spacecraft by itself viz. the United States, China, and Russia.

ISRO has been training four astronauts for this project at the astronaut training facility set up in Bengaluru, which includes theoretical courses in engineering and practical training on physical fitness, simulator training, flight procedures, etc.