India’s First Space Mission – Gaganyaan

Why in news ?

• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India’s first manned spacecraft, the Gaganyaan mission (G1), will be launched this December with a semi-humanoid robot, Vyommitra. 
• He stated that the mission is progressing well, with around 80% of the total tests (approximately 7,700 tests) completed. 
• The remaining 2,300 tests are expected to be completed by March next year.

Gaganyaan Mission

• Gaganyaan is an ambitious Indian space mission aimed at sending a three-member crew into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at approximately 400 km altitude for three days and then safely returning them to Earth.
• To ensure the success of the program, the Indian government has approved two unmanned and one manned mission. The first manned flight is expected before 2026.
• The success of the Gaganyaan mission will make India the fourth country after the United States, Russia, and China to achieve human spaceflight capability.

Objectives and Significance of Gaganyaan Mission:

• The primary objective of Gaganyaan is to develop indigenous human spaceflight capability in India.
• It will enable safe transportation of astronauts to and from orbit and lay the foundation for long-term space exploration programs in India.
• The mission will promote microgravity research, facilitating advancements in medicine, physics, and biological sciences.
• Gaganyaan provides a shared platform for Indian research laboratories, industries, and academic institutions.
• The mission will help India develop cost-effective and efficient technologies for exploring the solar system and beyond, inspiring students and youth to pursue careers in science and technology.
• Additionally, Gaganyaan will serve as a powerful tool for foreign policy, strengthening international cooperation and partnerships.
• Research in microgravity will enable significant discoveries in medical, material science, and life sciences, while the mission will boost India’s space industry, generating employment and contributing to economic growth.

Technologies Required for the Mission

• For this mission, ISRO had to develop several new technologies. First, the LVM3 rocket was adapted for a human-rated launch vehicle, making it ISRO’s most reliable launcher.
• It was specially modified to safely carry humans into space.
• It features a three-stage propulsion system: solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages, along with a Crew Escape System (CES) for safety.
• Another critical component is the Orbital Module (OM), which includes the Crew Module and Service Module.
• The Crew Module will serve as the astronauts’ living space, equipped with control systems, life support systems, avionics, and special protective layers for re-entry. The Service Module is an integrated structure providing energy, propulsion, and thermal control to the Crew Module.
• The Crew Escape System (CES) is designed to ensure the safety of the crew by separating the Crew Module from the rocket in case of emergencies. Flight test vehicles and abort missions have already been successfully conducted.
• Additionally, a life support system has been developed to provide astronauts with an Earth-like environment, including oxygen supply, water, waste management, and emergency exit capabilities.

Astronaut Training

• Astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission are undergoing specialized training. At the Bengaluru training center, they receive classroom instruction, physical fitness training, simulator exercises, flight suit usage, parabolic flights for microgravity experience, and aero-medical training.
• Training also includes recovery and survival modules to prepare them for emergency situations.

Different Phases of the Mission

• The mission will be completed in three phases:
  1. Test Phase – Includes integrated airdrop tests, pad abort tests, and test vehicle flights. These are aimed at validating the parachute system, Crew Module separation in emergencies, and abort mission success.
  2. Uncrewed Mission – Confirms technology reliability and safety. The Indian Navy assisted in Water Survival Training (WSTF). A humanoid robot named Vyommitra will be sent to test systems and safety.
  3. Crewed Mission – Involves sending three astronauts into a 400 km orbit. This will mark a historic milestone in India’s space journey.

Challenges of the Gaganyaan Mission

• Sending humans into space requires a large and complex launch vehicle, far more sophisticated than regular communication satellites.
• India currently lacks sufficient training and simulation facilities, making it necessary to depend on the US and Russia for some astronaut training modules.
• Providing food, water, oxygen, and managing waste in space with limited resources is challenging.
• The safety of the crew is the most sensitive aspect. In a microgravity environment, astronauts may face depression, radiation risks, fatigue, sleep disorders, and mental stress.
• Despite these challenges, Gaganyaan represents a historic step forward for India’s space capabilities and scientific progress.