ISRO successfully conducts another test for its first manned mission - Gaganyaan
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another milestone in its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send a three-member crew to space for a period of five to seven days by 2025. On August 11, 2023, ISRO successfully conducted the drogue parachute deployment tests for the crew module of Gaganyaan at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
What is Gaganyaan?
Gaganyaan (from Sanskrit: gagana, "celestial" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft intended to be the formative spacecraft of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. The spacecraft is being designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with rendezvous and docking capabilities.
The Gaganyaan project was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 in his independence day address to the nation. The project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman. The crew selection and training process is being carried out by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
The Gaganyaan mission will consist of three flights: two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight. The first unmanned flight was originally planned for December 2021, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The second unmanned flight is expected to take place in 2024, followed by the first human spaceflight in 2025.
The Gaganyaan spacecraft will be launched on ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), also known as LVM3, which is capable of carrying a payload of up to 10 tonnes to low Earth orbit. The GSLV Mk III has already proven its reliability by launching several satellites, including Chandrayaan-2 and GSAT-29.
What are drogue parachutes and why are they important?
Drogue parachutes are small parachutes that are deployed before the main parachutes to stabilize the spacecraft and reduce its velocity during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. They are crucial for ensuring the safety and survival of the crew and the spacecraft.
The drogue parachutes for Gaganyaan are being developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The drogue parachutes have a diameter of 4.7 meters and are made of nylon fabric. They are designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures during re-entry.
The drogue parachute deployment tests were conducted at TBRL using a scaled-down model of the crew module, which was dropped from a helicopter at an altitude of about 6 km. The tests were aimed at validating the performance and functioning of the drogue parachutes under various conditions. The tests were successful and met all the objectives.
ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated the team involved in the tests and said that they were a significant step towards achieving the Gaganyaan mission. He also thanked DRDO for its support and collaboration in developing critical human-centric systems and technologies for Gaganyaan, such as space-grade food, crew healthcare, radiation measurement and protection, parachutes for the safe recovery of the crew module, and fire suppression system.
What are the benefits and challenges of Gaganyaan?
Gaganyaan is not only a scientific and technological endeavour, but also a national pride and inspiration for millions of Indians. It will demonstrate India's capability and potential in human spaceflight and pave the way for future missions, such as Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, Shukrayaan-1, Mangalyaan-2, and NISAR. It will also open up new opportunities for research and innovation in various fields, such as astronomy, biology, medicine, materials science, and engineering. It will also foster international cooperation and collaboration in space exploration with other countries and agencies.
However, Gaganyaan also faces many challenges and risks that need to be overcome before achieving its goal. Some of these challenges include:
- Designing and developing a reliable and safe spacecraft that can withstand the harsh environment of space and re-entry.
- Ensuring the health and well-being of the crew during the mission, especially in terms of physical, psychological, and physiological aspects.
- Providing adequate training and support to the crew before, during, and after the mission.
- Establishing and maintaining effective communication and control systems between the spacecraft and the ground stations.
- Dealing with any contingencies or emergencies that may arise during the mission.
- Ensuring the compliance and coordination with the international norms and regulations regarding human spaceflight.
Conclusion
Gaganyaan is a historic and ambitious mission that will mark India's entry into the elite club of countries that have achieved human spaceflight. It will also showcase India's scientific and technological prowess and inspire generations of Indians to pursue their dreams and aspirations in space. ISRO, along with its partners and stakeholders, is working hard to overcome the challenges and make Gaganyaan a reality. The successful drogue parachute deployment tests are a testament to their dedication and commitment. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours. Jai Hind!.
Source:
(1) Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO Successfully Conducts Drogue Parachute .... https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/gaganyaan-mission-isro-successfully-conducts-drogue-parachute-deployment-tests-details-article-102657447.
(2) Gaganyaan - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaganyaan.
(3) Gaganyaan - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). https://www.isro.gov.in/Gaganyaan.html.
(4) Gaganyaan Mission [ISRO & Navy Undertake Water Survival Test Facility]. https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/gaganyaan-mission/.
(5) Gaganyaan Mission - दृष्टि आईएएस. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gaganyaan-mission.
0 Comments