New Delhi: The launch of Gaganyaan Test Vehicle Space flight, that is, Gaganyaan Test Vehicle Development flight (TV-D1) is scheduled on 21st of this month, announced Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
The test is to be conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. ISRO will also conduct tests on the effectiveness of the Crew Escape System, a vital component of the ‘Gaganyaan’ mission. These tests will pave the way for future unmanned and manned missions to outer space by 2024. The astronauts will be carried by the Crew Module during the Gaganyaan mission to outer space.
In addition, the test will entail sending a crew module into outer space, then safely recovering it upon its return to Earth, specifically in the Bay of Bengal. Preparations for the module's recovery operations have already commenced. The Indian Navy personnel have already commenced simulated operations for the retrieval of the module.
The Minister stated that the success of this test will pave the way for the inaugural unmanned “Gaganyaan” mission and eventually a manned mission to outer space in low Earth orbit. In preparation for the upcoming manned “Gaganyaan” mission, a test flight is scheduled for next year. This test flight will feature the presence of “Vyommitra”, the robotic female astronaut, showcasing India’s advancements in space exploration.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is among the top five nations in the field of space exploration.
‘India has recently created history by becoming the first country to land on the virgin south polar region of the lunar surface. With the launch of Aditya -1 which is the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun, India’s ambitious space exploration programme has left a clear message that we are one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the field of Space Science and Technology,’ he said.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate the capability of human spaceflight by launching a team of astronauts to a 400 km orbit and successfully bringing them back to Earth, with a safe landing in the Indian sea waters.
The prerequisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
