India is preparing to send an astronaut into space by 2022, marking India’s 75th year of Independence. In his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister of India declared the ambitious Gaganyaan mission marking the nation’s foray into manned space missions. If successful, India will be the fourth nation to accomplish such a task, following the United States, Russia, and China. India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander (retd.) Rakesh Sharma, orbited Earth as part of a Soviet mission in 1984.
The Preparations
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been conducting a series of experiments in preparation for the mission. This includes the ‘Pad Abort Test’, conducted in July 2018, aimed at ensuring safe recovery of the crew module in case of any emergency. The ‘Pad Abort’ test or Crew Escape System provides an emergency escape measure to pull the crew away from the launch vehicle when a mission must be aborted.
The Mission Leader
R. Lalithambika, a specialist in advanced launcher technologies, has been appointed as Director of the Human Space Flight Project. Lalithambika will lead the project, which is estimated to cost around Rs.9000 crore.
Differences With Previous Missions
The planned manned mission is a significant departure from previous ISRO missions, displaying increased complexity and ambition. Notably, a manned mission demands the ability to return the spacecraft back to Earth after flight. To meet this requirement, ISRO successfully tested the Crew Module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE) in 2014.
Meeting Astronaut’s Living Conditions
For astronauts to live in space, ISRO is constructing a spacecraft with suitable conditions facilitated through the Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS).
Launch Vehicle Development
To carry the heavy crew module, which is expected to weigh between 5 to 6 tonnes, ISRO has developed the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), ISRO’s primary launch vehicle, can carry only up to 2 tonnes.
Current Status of the Human Space Flight Programme
Currently, most of the critical technologies and hardware required for the mission are ready or have been tested. ISRO is working on combining them into a comprehensive project and will present a detailed project report for government approval.
GSLV Mk-III Capability
The GSLV Mk-III is conceived and designed to make ISRO fully self-sufficient in launching heavier satellites. It consists of three stages: the first stage comprises two Large Solid Boosters with solid propellant, strapped onto the second stage, the restartable liquid stage; and the third stage is the Liquid Oxygen/ Liquid Hydrogen cryogenic stage.
Successful Tests & Future Plans
ISRO successfully tested the GSLV Mk-III, now called LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), in December 2014. A crucial development flight carrying the GSAT-19 satellite into space was completed in June 2017. Over the next few years, multiple flights of GSLV are scheduled to be supported by the approved government funding of Rs 4,338.2 crore, aimed at perfecting the cryogenic technology for sending heavier payloads.