After Chandrayaan 3, ISRO gears to send humans to space with Gaganyaan mission
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
On August 24, 2023, India made history by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon's challenging South Pole. This remarkable achievement established India as only the fourth nation, following the United States, Russia, and China, to conquer lunar territory.
Historic Lunar Landing
Now, India's ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, is going to be the next big mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This program aims to propel a three-member crew into space, marking India's first manned mission beyond Earth's orbit.
Gaganyaan Project Unveiled
Gaganyaan is set to carry a crew of three highly-trained astronauts into a low Earth orbit, approximately 400 kilometres above the planet's surface. This mission is designed to span three days and will culminate with a safe return to Earth via a controlled landing in Indian waters.
Crew of Three
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Former Naval officer and Commander Abhilash Tomy, renowned for his solo circumnavigation, will play a pivotal role as a consultant to ISRO in this mission. His expertise will ensure the secure retrieval of astronauts from the sea upon their return.
Expertise from Commander Abhilash Tomy
ISRO's Gaganyaan program is gearing up for a critical abort mission demonstration, scheduled for the last week of September or early October. During this test, the crew module will separate from the spacecraft, assessing the Crew Escape System's capabilities to execute a safe abort in case something goes wrong.
Abort Mission Demonstration
Before the final manned mission, ISRO intends to conduct three rehearsal missions. Two of these will carry payloads, while one will serve as a payload-free dry run. The earliest anticipated launch date for the manned mission is set for April 2024.
Rehearsal Missions
The distinctive orange-coloured spacesuit, unveiled during the sixth edition of the Bengaluru Space Expo in 2018, is a testament to India's technological prowess. Developed over a meticulous two-year period at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, it can sustain an astronaut in space for up to 60 minutes. However, for the Gaganyaan mission, this suit will be upgraded to survive for a longer duration.
Cutting-Edge Spacesuit
The Gaganyaan mission will rely on the Human Rated LVM3 rocket, equipped with a robust Crew Escape System. This system utilises quick-acting solid motors to ensure the safe distance of the Crew Module and its occupants in case of emergencies during launch or ascent.
Human Rated LVM3 Rocket
With a substantial budget allocation of Rs 9,023 crore, the Gaganyaan mission highlights India's commitment to space exploration. Furthermore, ISRO's collaboration with the Russian firm Glavkosmos and increasing private sector participation reflects a promising future for India's space program.
Budget and International Collaboration
As of March 2023, astronauts are undergoing extensive training, marking India's determined quest to join the elite club of nations capable of human spaceflight.