ASTRONAUTS FOR GAGANYAAN MISSION

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Context

On February 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicised the final shortlist of candidates to be astronauts on board the maiden human spaceflight mission. Assuming two important test flights this year and the next are successful, the first crewed flight of the mission is scheduled for 2025.

Details

What is Gaganyaan?

• Gaganyaan is the name of the mission undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the objective of sending Indian astronauts to low-earth orbit for a short duration.
• It represents a significant step in India's space exploration efforts as it aims to demonstrate India's capability in human spaceflight and test various technologies essential for crewed missions.

Demonstration Mission:

• Gaganyaan serves as a demonstration mission to test the technologies required for human spaceflight, which is considered one of the most complex forms of space exploration.
• The mission aims to showcase India's proficiency in producing, qualifying, and utilizing these technologies, thereby establishing the country's credibility in crewed space missions.

Technological Ambition:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed ISRO to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and land an Indian on the moon by 2040, indicating the ambitious goals set for India's space program.
• These objectives represent significant technological advancements and demonstrate India's determination to explore the frontiers of space.

Integration with Lunar Missions:

• ISRO plans to integrate the objectives of Gaganyaan with future moon missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and joint missions with Japan to land rovers on the moon and collect lunar soil samples.
• This integration highlights India's comprehensive approach to space exploration, encompassing both crewed missions and lunar exploration activities.

Components of Gaganyaan

• Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3):
  • The LVM-3, formerly known as the GSLV Mk-III, serves as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.
  • It is a three-stage rocket designed to propel the spacecraft into low-earth orbit.
  • The first stage consists of two solid-fuel boosters attached to the rocket core.
  • The second stage is powered by two clustered Vikas 2 engines, fueled by liquid propellants.
  • The third stage features the CE-20 indigenous cryogenic engine, utilizing liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer.
• Orbital Module:
  • The orbital module, weighing 8.2 tonnes, is launched into low-earth orbit by the LVM-3 rocket.
  • It comprises the crew module and the service module.
  • The crew module is designed to accommodate up to three astronauts for a week-long mission.
  • It is equipped with parachutes for safe descent to the ground, environmental control and life-support systems (ECLSS) to maintain a habitable environment, and a crew escape system for emergencies during ascent.
  • The service module contains the propulsion system responsible for adjusting the orbital module's altitude and maneuvering it back towards Earth after separation from the rocket.
• The Crew:
  • The crew for the Gaganyaan mission consists of highly trained individuals, including Prashant Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Shubanshu Shukla.
  • These astronauts, all from the Indian Air Force (IAF), undergo rigorous training at the IAF's Institute of Aerospace Medicine.
  • A select group of candidates from the IAF undergoes advanced training in Russia to prepare for the challenges of spaceflight.
  • Additionally, the crew module includes a gynoid named 'Vyommitra,' equipped with sensors to monitor radiation, weightlessness, capsule conditions, and emergency alarms, enhancing crew safety and mission success.

Assembly of the Mission

• ISRO embarked on assembling the Gaganyaan mission following the approval by the Union Cabinet in 2018.

Technological Tests and Experiments:

• Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) and Crew-Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE):
  • In 2007, ISRO conducted the SRE, during which a satellite descended from an altitude of 635 km into the Bay of Bengal, validating crucial aspects of module separation, heat shielding, braking, parachute deployment, and retrieval procedures.
  • Subsequently, the CARE experiment was conducted in 2014, wherein a prototype module was launched aboard an LVM-3 rocket. It separated at 126 km altitude, descended to 80 km using retrograde thrusters, and landed safely in the Bay of Bengal, further validating critical re-entry and landing procedures.
• Recent Tests and Developments:
  • In October 2023, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath revealed challenges in domestic manufacturing capabilities for the crew module, necessitating its procurement from external sources.
  • Despite setbacks in sourcing Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) technologies from abroad, ISRO engineers developed these systems internally.
  • Major components, including engines and rocket stages, underwent rigorous testing, simulations, and quality-control exercises to ensure reliability.
  • Notably, ISRO completed testing of four CE-20 engines for a total of 8,810 seconds, simulating flight conditions, demonstrating readiness for mission deployment.

Achievements of Gaganyaan

Pioneering National Space Policy:

• The initiation of Gaganyaan coincides with the implementation of comprehensive reforms in the Indian space sector, including the establishment of NSIL and IN-SPACe, along with the formulation of the National Geospatial Policy 2022, Indian Space Policy 2023, and Telecommunications Act 2023.
• These policy measures aim to facilitate the growth of India's space industry, foster innovation, and encourage participation from domestic and international stakeholders.

Promotion of Space Entrepreneurship:

• The decision to permit 49% to 100% automatic foreign direct investment in space services and spaceflight, announced by the Cabinet on February 21, injects momentum into India's burgeoning space startup ecosystem.
• This move fosters a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, paving the way for collaboration, investment, and technological advancement in the space sector.

Strategic Positioning in the Global Space Race:

• Gaganyaan is poised to position India as a significant player in the evolving landscape of space exploration, aligning with the aspirations of countries venturing into space, the moon, and beyond.
• By participating in scientific, commercial, and exploratory missions, India asserts its presence in the international space arena, extending geopolitical boundaries into outer space.

Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Human Spaceflight:

• A primary objective of Gaganyaan is to establish India's self-sufficiency in human spaceflight, enabling the nation to send astronauts into space on its own terms and timelines.
• By reducing reliance on costly contracts with foreign launch services, India demonstrates its capability to undertake complex space missions independently, marking a significant milestone in its space exploration journey.

Representation in the Final Frontier:

• Gaganyaan underscores India's commitment to representing its interests and capabilities in the final frontier, emphasizing the importance of human presence in space and on celestial bodies like the moon.
• Through initiatives like Gaganyaan, India strives to assert its prowess in space exploration, contributing to humanity's collective efforts to unlock the mysteries of the universe and expand the horizons of knowledge and discovery.

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