ISRO Successfully Launches Gaganyaan Mission : India's first human space mission

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21 Oct 2023
3 min read

News Synopsis

Historic Moment: ISRO Successfully Launches India's Gaganyaan Mission After Test Flight Delay

In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has overcome initial setbacks and launched the Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space mission, following a brief delay in the original schedule.

Here are the details:

1. Gaganyaan's Lift-off

  • ISRO's rocket carrying essential payloads related to crew safety for the Gaganyaan mission took off from Sriharikota as part of the revised launch schedule.

  • Initially, the launch was postponed due to an identified issue. However, ISRO swiftly addressed the concern, and the launch was rescheduled to take place at 10:00 AM.

2. Gaganyaan's Ambitious Endeavor

  • ISRO is on the cusp of creating history with the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, marked by the test launch of the Test Vehicle (TV-D1), a single-stage liquid rocket.

  • The pivotal flight sequence commenced with the launch of TV-D1. As the rocket ascended, various systems were activated at key stages of the flight.

ISRO Chief S Somanath stated, "I am very happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the TV-D1 mission. The purpose of this mission was to demonstrate the crew escape system for the Gaganyaan program through a test vehicle demonstration. The crew escape system took the crew module away from the vehicle, and subsequent operations, including the touch-down at sea, have been very well accomplished. We have confirmation of the data for all of this..."

The launch was initially scheduled for 8 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota but was rescheduled due to certain issues.

3. Analyzing the Setback

  • At 8:44 AM, with just five seconds left on the countdown clock, the launch was halted as the computer, which had taken over the launch command, detected an anomaly.

  • ISRO Chief S Somnath emphasized that the organization would manually analyze the anomaly that led to the delay.

4. The Gaganyaan Mission's Purpose

  • The primary goal of the Gaganyaan mission is to send humans into space, placing them in a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 kilometers for a three-day mission. This significant step is part of India's vision for human space exploration.

  • The mission aims to achieve a safe return to Earth in 2025 and is a testament to India's aspirations in space exploration.

5. Gaganyaan's Launch Vehicle

  • The crew for the Gaganyaan mission will reach their designated orbit with the assistance of the LVM3 rocket. This advanced rocket comprises various stages, including solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion systems.

Relevant and latest facts for the above Gaganyaan mission 

  • The Gaganyaan mission is the first human spaceflight program undertaken by India.

  • The mission is being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

  • The primary goal of the Gaganyaan mission is to launch three humans into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 400 kilometers for a three-day mission.

  • The mission is scheduled for launch in 2025.

  • The Gaganyaan mission will use the Gaganyaan spacecraft, which is being developed by ISRO.

  • The Gaganyaan spacecraft will be launched into orbit by the GSLV Mark III rocket, which is also being developed by ISRO.

  • The Gaganyaan mission will be a major milestone for India's space program.

  • The mission will demonstrate India's ability to launch humans into space and will pave the way for future human spaceflight missions.

In addition to the successful test flight of the crew escape system, ISRO has also made significant progress in the development of the Gaganyaan spacecraft and the GSLV Mark III rocket. The Gaganyaan spacecraft is currently undergoing testing, and the GSLV Mark III rocket is expected to make its maiden flight in 2024.

The Gaganyaan mission is a major undertaking, and ISRO is working hard to ensure its success. The successful test flight of the crew escape system is a major step forward, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the ISRO team.

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