Why in the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will likely conduct the crucial integrated air-drop test for the Gaganyaan mission's crew module next week.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Gaganyaan Mission (Objective, Timeline, Components, Launch Vehicle, etc.)
• News Summary

Gaganyaan Mission:

• The Gaganyaan mission is India's ambitious project undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to send astronauts into space.
• Objective:
  • To demonstrate India's capability to send humans into space, making it the fourth nation after the United States, Russia, and China to achieve this feat independently.
• Timeline:
  • The Gaganyaan mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2018, with a target to launch the first crewed mission by 2022 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of India's independence.
  • However, due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline has been pushed to a later date.
• Components of the Mission:
  • Crew Module: The crew module is the spacecraft that will carry Indian astronauts into space and return them safely to Earth.
    • It is being developed to accommodate a crew of two to three astronauts.
• Launch Vehicle:
• ISRO plans to use the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk III) to launch the crew module into space.
• Training Facilities:
  • ISRO has been working on setting up astronaut training facilities, including the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru, where astronauts will undergo rigorous training in areas such as microgravity, emergency procedures, and spacecraft operations.
• Life Support Systems:
  • The crew module will be equipped with life support systems to ensure the safety and well-being of the astronauts during their space journey.
• Mission Control Centre:
  • ISRO will establish a dedicated Mission Control Centre to monitor and control the Gaganyaan mission from the ground.

Selection & Training of Astronauts:

• ISRO has selected four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission.
  • The selection criteria included physical fitness, psychological resilience, and expertise in relevant fields such as engineering and medicine.
• Selected astronauts are currently undergoing extensive training both in India and abroad to prepare for the challenges of space travel.
• Out of the four astronaut designates, or “vyomnauts”, being trained, three will be selected for the final mission. 

Air-Drop Test of Gaganyaan Crew Module:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to undertake an important test under the Gaganyaan mission to check the parachute system of the crew module in the next few days.
• The Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) will see a Chinook helicopter dropping the crew module from a height of around 4-5 km.
• The crew module, designed to ensure the safe return of astronauts from space, will be dropped from an altitude of approximately 3.5 to 4 kilometers using an Indian Air Force helicopter.
• This procedure aims to assess the parachute system's functionality and the capsule's overall stability and safety during descent.
• This pivotal test forms part of the preparatory steps leading up to India's ambitious manned spaceflight which is likely to take place in 2025.