ISRO has mentioned that it will start the unmanned flight assessments for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission with the launch of a test vehicle at 8 am on October 21 from Sriharikota spaceport. (*21*)
It mentioned that will probably be a short-duration mission and the visibility from the Launch View Gallery (LVG) will probably be restricted.
The Gaganyaan challenge envisages an illustration of ISRO’s human spaceflight functionality by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them safely again to earth by touchdown in Indian sea waters. The Test Vehicle Development Flight (TV-D1) is geared toward testing the crew module (CM) that may carry Indian astronauts in the course of the human spaceflight late subsequent yr.
How and where to watch the test?
“TV-D1 Flight Test: The test is scheduled for October 21, 2023, at 0800 Hrs. IST from the First launchpad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. It will be a short-duration mission and the visibility from the Launch View Gallery (LVG) will be limited,” ISSO posted on X, previously Twitter.
The TV-D1 test flight includes launching the unmanned crew module to outer house, bringing it again to earth and recovering it after landing within the Bay of Bengal.
“Students and the Public can witness the launch from LVG at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, by registering at https://lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATION/index.jsp Registration will commence on October 17, 2023, at 18:00 Hrs. Latest updates will also be provided in that link,” ISRO added.
What did ISRO chief say on the test?
ISRO Chief S Somanath mentioned, “We are scheduling this launch on 21st October. This is the testing of the crew escape system using a new rocket called a test vehicle. It’s a liquid engine-powered rocket. On top of that, we have the crew module and crew escape system…”
Talking in regards to the assembly chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier immediately to assess the progress of Gaganyaan Mission and to define the longer term of India’s house exploration endeavours, Somanath mentioned that the Prime Minister spoke about India’s plans for the longer term.
“PM Modi told us about the plans for the future. He said that we have to launch man on the moon in 2040, there has to be the first human space flight. He also spoke of Indian Space Station. We have to continue the Chandrayaan Mission and Gaganyaan Mission. So, we have to make new rocket. There was a presentation on all of these. It is a matter of joy that he has endorsed all of these,” he mentioned.
ISRO chief particulars TV-D1 test flight
Somanath on Saturday mentioned that three extra test vehicle missions could be launched underneath the Gaganyaan programme after the TV-D1 test flight on October 21.
“The first test vehicle flight (of the Gaganyaan mission) will be conducted on October 21. After that, we have planned for three more test missions, D2, D3, D4. We will hold thorough tests during the test flight sequence,” Somanath mentioned.
According to ISRO, the test vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this abort mission.
The payloads consist of the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape System (CES) with their fast-acting stable motors, together with CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters.
“The Crew Escape System with Crew Module will be separated from the Test Vehicle at an altitude of about 17 km. Subsequently, the abort sequence will be executed autonomously commencing with the separation of the CES and deployment of the series of parachutes, finally culminating in the safe touchdown of CM in the sea, about 10 km from the coast of Sriharikota,” ISRO mentioned.
The crew module is where the astronauts will probably be contained in a pressurised Earth-like atmospheric situation in the course of the Gaganyaan mission.
(With inputs from companies)
