AIR DROP TEST: GAGANYAAN MISSION

NEWS: ISRO successfully conducted the second Integrated Air Drop Test for the Gaganyaan mission

CONTEXT

The testà validates the safe descent and landing systems of the Crew Moduleà testing the parachute deployment sequences under simulated flight conditions.

About Gaganyaan Mission

• Aimsà Demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km for a 3 days mission+ bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
• Two unmanned missions+ one manned mission will be undertaken by ISRO.
• Three Components of the Mission
• Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM-3)à ISRO’s reliable heavy-lift launcher, LVM3, = re-configured to meet human rating requirements+ It is a three-stage rocketà
  • First stageà Two solid-fuel boosters strapped to the rocket core.
  • Second stageàPowered by two liquid-fuelled, clustered Vikas 2 engines.
  • Third stageà Equipped with the CE-20 indigenous cryogenic engine, using liquid hydrogen + liquid oxygen as fuel and oxidiser, respectively.
• Orbital Module:
  • Crew moduleà Include environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), parachutes.
  • Service moduleàAn unpressurised bus carrying propulsion, power, thermal radiators, and water and oxygen tanks.
  • Crew Escape System (CES)à Safety mechanism designed to save the astronauts’ lives if something goes wrong during launch.

Significance of the Gaganyaan Mission for India

• India will become àonly the fourth nation (following the US, Russia, and China) to possess an independent human spaceflight
• Advanced technology capability for undertaking sample return missions and further space and scientific exploration
• Economic Growth & employment creation