Wikipedia

Gaganyaan

Gaganyaan ([ɡəɡənəjɑːnə];pronunciationⓘ from Sanskrit: gagana, "celestial" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft intended to be the formative spacecraft of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. The spacecraft is being designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with rendezvous and docking capabilities. In its maiden crewed mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s largely autonomous 5.3-metric ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 400 km altitude for up to seven days with a two- or three-person crew on board. The first crewed mission was originally planned to be launched on ISRO's HLVM3 rocket in December 2021.[6][7] As of November 2024, it is expected to be launched no earlier than 2026.[8]

Gaganyaan
Rendering of Gaganyan crew module
Manufacturer
Country of originIndia India
OperatorISRO
ApplicationsCrewed orbital vehicle
Specifications
Spacecraft typeCrewed
Launch mass8,200 kg (18,100 lb) (includes service module)[1]
Dry mass3,735 kg (8,234 lb)[2]
Crew capacity3[3]
DimensionsDiameter: 3.5 m (11 ft)[4]
Height: 3.58 m (11.7 ft)[4]
Volume8 m3 (280 cu ft)[5]
PowerPhotovoltaic array
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Design life7 days
Production
StatusIn development

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured crew module underwent its first uncrewed experimental flight on 18 December 2014.[9] As of May 2019, design of the crew module has been completed.[10] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will provide support for critical human-centric systems and technologies such as space-grade food, crew healthcare, radiation measurement and protection, parachutes for the safe recovery of the crew module, and the fire suppression system.[11]

The Gaganyaan Mission will be led by V. R. Lalithambika, the former Director of the Directorate of the Human Spaceflight Programme with ISRO Chairman S Somnath and S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.[12][13] Imtiaz Ali Khan superseded V. R. Lalithambika as the Director of the Directorate of Human Spaceflight Programme.[14][15]

Background

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1984 USSR postal block on the Soyuz T-11 mission

In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian born citizen to enter space through a joint Interkosmos mission between ISRO and Soviet space program, when he flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic on 3 April 1984. The Soyuz T-11 spacecraft carrying cosmonauts including Sharma docked and transferred the three member Soviet-Indian international crew, consisting of the ship's commander, Yury Malyshev, and flight engineer, Gennadi Strekalov, to the Salyut 7 Orbital Station. Sharma spent 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7. He conducted an Earth observation program concentrating on India. He also did life sciences and materials processing experiments, including silicium fusing tests.[16] To commemorate the occasion special stamps and first day covers were released by the Government of India and Soviet Union.[17]

Program history

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Preliminary studies and technological development of Gaganyaan started in 2006 under the generic name "Orbital Vehicle". The plan was to design a simple capsule with an endurance of about a week in space, a capacity of two astronauts, and a splashdown landing after re-entry. The project was commissioned in 2007, with expected completion by 2024 and a budget of around ₹10,000 crore.[18] The design was finalized by March 2008 and submitted to the Government of India for funding. The government's funding for the Indian Human Spaceflight Program was sanctioned in February 2009,[19] But it fell short due to limited developmental funding.[19] Initially, the first uncrewed flight of the orbital vehicle was proposed to be in 2013,[20] then it was revised to 2016.[21] However, in April 2012, it was reported that funding problems placed the future of the project in serious doubt.[22] And in August 2013, it was announced that all crewed spaceflight efforts by India had been designated as being "off ISRO's priority list".[23] By early 2014, the project had been reconsidered and was one of the main beneficiaries of a substantial budget increase announced in February 2014.[24]

Space Capsule Recovery Experiment

ISRO is developing the Gaganyaan orbital vehicle based on the tests performed with their scaled 555 kilograms (1,224 lb) experimental spacecraft from Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), which was launched and recovered in January 2007.[25][26] In SRE, an experimental capsule that had been in orbit earlier splashed into the Bay of Bengal after descending from a height of 635 km. The purpose of the mission was to test reusable thermal protection system, management of communication blackout, guidance, navigation and control, hypersonic aero-thermodynamics, braking system, deceleration system, flotation devices and recovery procedures.[27][28]

Cabinet approval

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The latest push for the Indian Human Spaceflight Program took place in 2017,[29] And it was accepted and formally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2018 Independence Day address to the nation.[30] The Gaganyaan Programme, was approved by the Union Cabinet on 28 December 2018.[31] The current design calls for a crew of three.[3] ISRO will perform four biological and two physical science experiments related to microgravity during the Gaganyaan mission.[32] ISRO is planning to replace hydrazine with green propellant on Gaganyaan missions, for which Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is already working on a monopropellant blended formulation consisting of hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN), ammonium nitrate, methanol and water.[33][34]

Many of the fundamental technologies were realized by ISRO by the time Gaganyaan was approved by the Union Cabinet. After receiving approval, many of them were human-rated to make sure their dependability satisfied the requirements needed for human spaceflight.[35] Space Capsule Recovery Experiment II (SRE-2), an extension of the 2007 SRE mission, was canceled in 2018 as a result of excessive delays.[36][37]

Onboard science experiments

As of October 2021, ISRO selected five science experiments that will be conducted on Gaganyaan. The payloads will be developed by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UASD), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), IIT Patna, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). Out of the five, two are biological experiments that will be conducted by IIST, UASD and TIFR and will include kidney stone formation and Sirtuin 1 gene marker effects in Drosophila melanogaster. IIT Patna will run experiments on a heat sink that can handle very high heat flux, IICT will study crystallization phenomena, and JNCASR will examine fluid mixing characteristics.[38]

With an emphasis on microgravity research, space biomanufacturing, bioastronautics, and astrobiology, the Department of Biotechnology and the ISRO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 25 October 2024 to collaborate on space biotechnology research. The application will be in ISRO's human space flight project, Gaganyaan. The MoU will address problems like food storage, radiation, microgravity, and constant nutrient supply, as well as health risks like cancer, cataracts, and loss of bone and muscle.[39]

Funding and project expansion

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A crewed spacecraft would require about ₹12,400 crore (US$1.77 billion) over a period of seven years, including the ₹5,000 crore (US$0.7 billion) for the initial work of the crewed spacecraft during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–2012) out of which the Government released ₹ 50 crore (US$7 million) in 2007–2008.[40][41] In December 2018, the government approved a further ₹10,000 crore (US$1.5 billion) for a 7-day crewed flight of 3 astronauts to take place by 2021.[6]

Expanding the scope of the Gaganyaan initiative, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on September 18, 2024, the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station's initial module, BAS-1.[42] The launch of the BAS-1 unit is one of the eight missions that are now part of the redesigned Gaganyaan program, which is scheduled for completion by December 2028. Hardware requirements and more unmanned flights are part of this expansion, which is meant to supplement the continuing human spaceflight programs. The Gaganyaan initiative has received an extra ₹11,170 crore (US$1.3 billion) in financing to support its expanded scope, bringing the total budget to ₹20,193 crore (US$2.4 billion). With four missions under the ongoing Gaganyaan program scheduled by 2026, the development of the BAS-1 module and four additional missions for technology demonstration and validation by 2028, the program aims to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions.[43][44]

Infrastructure, training and support

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Madhavan Chandradathan, director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), stated that ISRO would need to set up an astronaut training facility in Bangalore. The newly established Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) will coordinate the IHSF efforts.[45] Existing launch facilities will be upgraded for launches under the Indian Human Spaceflight project.[46][47] With extra facilities needed for launch escape systems.[41] Russia is likely to provide astronaut training.[48] In Spring 2009, the full-scale mock-up of the crew capsule of Gaganyaan was built and delivered to Satish Dhawan Space Center for the training of astronauts.[49]

India has already successfully developed and tested several building blocks, including re-entry space capsule, pad abort test, safe crew ejection mechanism in case of rocket failure, a flight suit developed by Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) and the powerful LVM3 launch vehicle.[50] Having met all required technological keystones, the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme was accepted and formally announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2018.[51] Gaganyaan will be the first crewed spacecraft under this programme.[52] To begin the training of doctors and engineers for space mission, Brigitte Godard, a flight surgeon affiliated with the European Space Agency, traveled to India in 2018.[53]

ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre and Glavcosmos, which is a subsidiary of the Russian state corporation Roscosmos, signed an agreement on 1 July 2019, for cooperation in the selection, support, medical examination and space training of Indian astronauts.[54] An ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) has been approved to be set up in Moscow for coordination.[55][56] In 2021, ISRO established a temporary ground station for the Gaganyaan mission in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, following an extended dialogue with the Australian Space Agency. ISRO has plans to build a permanent ground station for the project there.[33] To gain practical space medicine experience, ISRO is sending two flight surgeons specialized in aviation medicine from the Indian Air Force to Russia in 2021. They are in charge of the health of the astronauts prior to, during, and following their space journey. Also, in order to receive training and expand their theoretical expertise, the flight surgeons will visit France.[57][53]

ISRO and CNES announced on April 15, 2021, a space agreement for cooperation in space equipment, consumables, and space medicine. The CNES team at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne and the Centre for the Development of Microgravity Applications and Space Operations, or CADMOS, at the Toulouse Space Centre will provide training to flight physicians and Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) mission control teams for Gaganyaan. Additionally, CNES will operate as a point of contact between ISRO and European Space Agency. CNES will assist in the execution of a scientific experiment plan for validation missions, knowledge sharing regarding food packaging and nutrition programs, and the use of French medical tools, equipment, and consumables by Indian astronauts. The Indian space crew will thus have access to French technology created by CNES that has been tested and is now in use aboard the International Space Station. CNES will also provide radiation- and shock-resistant carry bags to India to protect equipment. The future cooperation include parabolic flights conducted by Novespace for instrument testing and astronaut training, as well as technical assistance for the building of an astronaut training facility in Bangaluru.[58]

Description

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Gaganyaan Crew Module

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Recovery trial operations with Crew Module Mockup (CMRM)
 
Simulated Crew Module (SCM) Structure Assembly

Gaganyaan crew module is a fully autonomous 5.3 t (12,000 lb) spacecraft designed to carry a 3-member crew to orbit and safely return to the Earth after a mission duration of up to seven days.[1] The crew module is equipped with two parachutes for redundancy, with one parachute enough for a safe splashdown. The parachutes would reduce the speed of the crew module from over 216 m/s (480 mph) to under 11 m/s (25 mph) at splashdown.[59]

The space capsule will have life support and environmental control systems. It will be equipped with emergency mission abort capabilities and a Crew Escape System (CES) that can be activated during the first stage or second rocket stage burn.[60] The nose of the original version of the orbital vehicle was free for a docking mechanism, but primary entry was evidently through a side hatch secured by explosive bolts.[61]

Glavkosmos and Human Space Flight Centre signed a deal in October 2019 for Energia to equip the Gaganyaan crew with life support system and supply thermal control system for the spacecraft. In addition to supplying food, water, and oxygen and assisting in regulating body temperature, the life support system will also handle waste products of crew members. Throughout the mission, the thermal control system will maintain the spacecraft's component within permissible temperature limits.[62]

The Human Space Flight Center and Glavkosmos signed a deal on 11 March 2020, for the manufacture and supply of individual equipment packages. NPP Zvezda will manufacture customized couch liners and individual seats for Indian astronauts as part of the contract.[63]

On 7 December 2022, The Hindu reported that the crew module had entered the production stage.[64]

Following fruitless attempts to obtain the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) from other countries, ISRO has declared that it will be developing it on its own for Gaganyaan mission. According to ISRO Chairman S Somanath, ISRO has no experience in producing ECLSS, but it was forced to urge national laboratories and domestic industry to begin developing the technology because there were no foreign partners available to share the technology.[65] The first orbiter module adaptor assembly (OMA) for Gaganyaan was provided by Kineco Kaman Composites on 23 December 2023. The OMA is a conical structure with a diameter of 4 meters, composed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers. It is combined with the equipment bay shroud and crew escape module.[66]

The Emergency Sea Water Purification Kit was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation. The package provides astronauts with clean water during operations and emergencies by eliminating excessive levels of Total Dissolved Matter, turbidity, color, and microbiological contamination from sea water in 30 minutes. The user testing for the Gaganyaan mission at Bombay Dockyard was successfully completed in 2022.[67]

In order to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and Bharatiya Antariksha Station in the future, ISRO intends to incorporate International Docking System Standard (IDSS) compatibility.[68] A Docking Adaptor called Bhartiya Docking System is currently under development.[69]

Service module

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The Gaganyaan Spacecraft will have a 2.9 t (6,400 lb)[1] service module is powered by liquid propellant engines. The crew module is mated to the service module, and together they constitute 8.2 t (18,000 lb) orbital module.[1]

The Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) will perform an orbit raising manoeuvre allowing Gaganyaan to reach 400 km in low Earth orbit (LEO), then remain docked during a deorbit burn until atmospheric reentry. It will use an unified bipropellant system consisting of MON-3 and Monomethylhydrazine as oxidizer and fuel, having five main engines derived from ISRO's liquid apogee motor with 440 N (99 lbf) thrust and sixteen 100 N reaction control system (RCS) thrusters.

Development and Testing

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Static test for Low Altitude Escape Motor

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On 11 August 2022, ISRO successfully completed the test firing of Low Altitude Escape Motor (LEM) for Crew Escape System. LEM consists of a solid rocket motor with four reverse flow nozzles that generates maximum sea level thrust of 842 kN (nominal) with burn time of 5.98 second (nominal). The nozzle end of LEM is mounted at the fore end of the launch vehicle to avoid exhaust plume impingement on crew module. This is why there are reverse flow multiple nozzle in the solid rocket motor. The reverse flow nozzle makes exhaust gas flow in opposite direction in the nozzle region.[70][71]

The objective of this test was to check ballistic parameters, validate motor subsystem performance (and confirm the design margins), evaluate the thermal performance of nozzle liners especially to confirm the ablative characteristics, validate integrity of all interfaces, evaluate the head-end mounted safe arm (HMSA) based ignition system performance, and evaluate side thrust due to misalignment and variation in flow and other functional parameters including flow reversal.[72]

Service Module Propulsion System demonstration

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A system demonstration model (SDM) of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), which will be incorporated into the Gaganyaan spacecraft, was successfully tested by ISRO on 28 August 2021.[73] The service module is designed and developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).[74]

 
Service module – system demo model hot test conducted on 19 July 2023 at ISRO Propulsion Complex successfully established the faultless operation of all components and systems.

At the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), the system demonstration model was fired for 450 seconds. The performance met the pre-test prediction model. The propulsion system for the service module is a single bi-propellant system consists of sixteen 100 Newton thrusters for reaction control system (RCS) and five primary 440 Newton thrust engines, using monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and mixed oxides of nitrogen (MON-3) as the fuel and oxidizer, respectively. Additionally, IPRC is constructing a new facility to test the Service Module Propulsion System. To validate the propulsion system on the ground, the test model for the system demonstration employed only eight 100 Newton thrusters and five 440 Newton engines.[75][76]

On 19 July 2023, ISRO successfully completed the test of Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System.[77] Five hot tests totaling 2,750 seconds were conducted by ISRO as part of the Phase-1 test series. Eight 100 Newton RCS thrusters and five 440 Newton liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines were used in Phase 1. The system's hot testing replicated the operation of the flight-qualified thruster, helium pressurization system, propellant tank feed system, and control components. During the test, which lasted 250 seconds, RCS thrusters and LAM engines were used continuously. During the Gaganyaan mission's ascending phase, the RCS thrusters will ensure precise attitude correction, while the LAM engines will supply the primary propulsive force.[78]

The SMPS carries out orbit injection, circularization burn, on-orbit control, de-boost maneuvering, and service module based abort if necessary during the ascent phase for the Orbital Module.[79]

Service module – circularization burn for orbital module to reach final orbit. RCS thrusters are in pulse mode and LAM engines ran continuously.

On 20 July 2023, hot test was conducted in final configuration of SMPS in which sixteen RCS thrusters with 100 Newton thrust and five LAM engines with 440 Newton thrust were used. The propellant tank feed system, helium pressurization system, flight-qualified thrusters, and control components were all included in the hot test which simulated the fluid circuit of the SMPS. The combined performance of SMPS was showcased in the first hot test of the Phase-2 test series.[80] Each 440 Newton thrust engine will also be tested individually for longer duration involving various parameters to gain human-rating certification. ISRO has scheduled five additional tests to demonstrate both nominal and off-nominal mission scenarios.[81][82]

On 26 July 2023, ISRO conducted two more hot tests on the SMPS with success. The thrusters were run in tandem with the mission profile, both in continuous and pulsed mode. The first hot test, which lasted 723.60 seconds, was intended to show how to pump fuel into the orbital module and burn 100 Newton thrusters and LAM engines for calibration. The calibration burn was essential to identify and isolate any non-operational engines. The RCS thrusters and LAM engines operated as anticipated. The goal of the second hot test, which lasted 350 seconds, was to show how the Orbital Module circularizes to reach the final orbit. The RCS thrusters functioned in pulse mode throughout this test, while the LAM engines ran continuously.[83][84]

Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test

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Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test for Parachute Deceleration System.

On 18 November 2022, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) conducted an Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test (IMAT) of the Parachute Deceleration System (PDS), in which 5-ton dummy mass equivalent of the actual crew module mass was taken to an altitude of 2.5 km and dropped from Ilyushin Il-76 by Indian Air Force. Two small pyro-based mortar-deployed pilot parachutes then pulled the main parachutes free. The size of the main parachutes was initially restricted to a smaller area to reduce opening shock. After 7 seconds, the pyro-based reefing line cutters cut the area restricting line, allowing the parachutes to inflate fully. The fully inflated main parachutes reduced the payload speed to a safe landing speed. The entire sequence lasted about 2–3 minutes.[85][86]

The Parachute Deceleration System is jointly developed by ISRO and DRDO. System design, analytical simulations for parachute deployment, development of ordnance devices for parachute ejection, mechanical assembly, instrumentation and avionics were done by VSSC. In total, five air dropped tests (of 10 parachutes) are planned as part of qualification process.[87][88]

Drogue Parachute Deployment Test

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Drogue Parachute Deployment Test at Rail Track Rocket Sled Facility.

On 8 August 2023, ISRO informed the media that Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in collaboration with Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a lab under Defence Research & Development Organisation successfully conducted a series of Drogue Parachute Deployment Tests at Rail Track Rocket Sled Facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh from 8 to 10 August 2023. Drogue parachutes, which are essential for stabilizing the crew module and lowering its velocity to a safe level during re-entry, were deployed as part of this test. Pyrotechnic devices called mortars are developed to launch parachutes into the air upon command. With a diameter of 5.8 meters, these conical ribbon-type parachutes use a single-stage reefing system that reduces canopy area and lessens opening stress to provide a controlled and smooth descent.[89]

A variety of real-world conditions were recreated during the three comprehensive tests in order to thoroughly assess the functionality and dependability of the drogue parachutes. The first test, which replicated the maximum reefed weight, introduced reefing in a mortar-deployed parachute for the first time in India. The second test replicated the maximum disreefed load, while the third test demonstrated the drogue parachute's deployment in a scenario that mirrored the Crew Module's maximum angle of attack it might experience during its mission. All these tests served as a critical qualification milestone for the drogue parachutes, confirming their readiness for integration into Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1.[90]

Rail Track Rocket Sled Facility already completed the test of pilot and apex cover separation parachutes. Ten parachutes will be used in the complex parachute sequence for the deceleration system of the Gaganyaan crew module. The two apex cover separation parachutes are deployed first in the process, and two drogue parachutes are deployed when stability is accomplished. The mission enters the extraction phase once the drogue parachutes are released. Three pilot parachutes separately remove the three main parachutes, which is a crucial step in lowering the Crew Module's speed to acceptable levels for a safe landing.[91]

Launch Vehicle

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Maquette of human-rated LVM3 (HLVM3)

Following three uncrewed orbital flight demonstrations of the spacecraft, a crewed Gaganyaan is slated to be launched on the HLVM3 (Human-rated version of LVM3) launcher.[92]

While the LVM3 is being human rated for Gaganyaan project, the rocket was designed with potential human spaceflight applications in consideration. The maximum acceleration during ascent phase of flight was limited to 4 Gs for crew comfort and a 5-metre (16 ft) diameter payload fairing was used to be able to accommodate large modules like space station segments.[93] The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.[94]

Furthermore, a number of changes to make safety-critical subsystems reliable are planned for lower operating margins, redundancy, stringent qualification requirements, revaluation and strengthening of components.[95] Avionics improvements includes an Integrated Health Monitoring System (LVHM), Dual chain Telemetry & Telecommand Processor (TTCP) and Quad-redundant Navigation and Guidance Computer (NGC). The High Thrust Vikas engines (HTVE) of L110 core stage will operate at a chamber pressure of 58.5 bar instead of 62 bar and the Human rated S200 boosters (HS200) will operate at chamber pressure of 55.5 bar instead of 58.8 bar. Segment joints will have three O-rings each. Electro mechanical actuators and digital stage controllers will be employed in all stages of launch vehicle.[96][97]

Gaganyaan's green propellant development was confirmed by K. Sivan, and it will be used in all stages of HLVM3. In order to stop rocket engines from emitting chlorinated exhaust products, ISRO has started the development of an environmentally benign solid propellant based on Glycidyl Azide Polymer (GAP) as fuel and Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) as oxidizer. Green propellant combinations including hydrogen peroxide, kerosene, liquid oxygen, liquid methane, ADN-methanol-water, ADN-glycerol-water are all part of the technology demonstration projects that ISRO is conducting. With the use of electric propulsion for spacecraft and the acceptance of liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen and LOX/kerosene based propulsion systems for launch vehicles, ISRO has already started the transition towards environmentally benign and green propellants. Currently in use in the cryogenic upper stages of the GSLV and LVM3 is the LOX/LH2 mix. In place of traditional hydrazine, ISRO developed ISROSENE, a rocket grade version of kerosene. In the South Asia satellite, ISRO has effectively proven an electric propulsion technology for station keeping operations.[98][99] 

S200 booster qualification

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Static fire test of HS200 booster

On 17 November 2020, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) delivered the first piece of hardware—a booster segment—for the Gaganyaan launch vehicle LVM3. The Powai Aerospace Manufacturing Facility in Mumbai, owned by L&T, is where the booster segment was manufactured. The crucial booster segment is 3.2 meters in diameter, 8.5 meters long, and 5.5 tons in weight.[100]

The human-rated variant of the S200 solid strap-on booster, or 'HS200', was developed for the Gaganyaan programme in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro.[101] The first static fire test of HS200 was conducted on 13 May 2022 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) for a duration of 135 seconds, carrying 203 tons of solid propellant. During the test, about 700 parameters were monitored and the performance of all the systems were normal. The second-largest functioning solid propellant booster in the world is 20 meters in length and 3.2 meters in diameter.[102][103]

Like all systems for Gaganyaan mission, the HS200 booster was designed with a number of enhancements intended to increase the safety and dependability of different systems. The enhancements include stronger ignition and insulation systems, improved digital control electronics as well as extra safety features for motor case joints. This booster's control system makes use of one of the strongest electro-mechanical actuators available, complete with many redundancies and safety measures. The enhancement of S200 solid strap-on booster resulted in a decrease in chamber pressure, increased robustness, proof-leakability, and higher margins.[104]

Vikas engine qualification

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Main article: Vikas (rocket engine)
 
Long duration hot test of Vikas engine at ISRO Propulsion Complex.

Vikas engine variants are used to power the second stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), boosters and second stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark I and II, and also the core stage of LVM 3.

On 14 July 2021, ISRO conducted third long duration hot test of Vikas engine for core L110 liquid stage of GSLV Mark III at ISRO Propulsion Complex as part of the engine qualification requirements of the Gaganyaan mission. The engine was successfully test fired for a duration of 240 seconds validating all the required performance parameters.[105][106]

On 20 January 2022, High Thrust Vikas Engine successfully underwent a hot qualification test for duration of 25 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex to validate engine robustness under non-nominal operating conditions for fuel-oxidiser mixture ratio and chamber pressure.[107]

CE-20 engine qualification

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Main article: CE-20
 
CE-20 E9 cryogenic engine underwent a 720-second hot test at IPRC.

On 12 January 2022, ISRO conducted a hot qualification test on CE-20 cryogenic engine for a duration of 720 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC).[108][109] On October 28, 2022, CE-20 E11 successfully completed a Pressure Chamber Test for 30 seconds at IPRC. It was done to check the efficacy of the engine for Gaganyaan missions. On November 9, 2022, the duration was increased to 70 seconds. The test results were on expected lines as per ISRO sources.[110]

On 21 February 2024, ISRO announced that the performance of the primary cryogenic engine that will be installed on the LVM3 launch vehicles for Gaganyaan has been verified and approved for use in human spaceflight missions. Vacuum testing of the CE-20 cryogenic engine, the seventh in the series, took place at the High Altitude Test Facility in Mahendragiri on 14 February 2024. In contrast to the minimal standard period for human rating of 6,350 seconds (1 hour 45 minutes), the CE-20 was previously put through 39 hot fire tests under various operating conditions, lasting 8,810 seconds (2 hours 26 minutes). Even the flight engine, which was designated for the inaugural Gaganyaan mission, has finished the acceptance testing, according to ISRO. The flight engine, which powers the upper stages of the LVM3, has an impulse of 442.5 seconds and a thrust capacity of 19–22 tons.[111]

According to ISRO, life demonstration tests, endurance tests, and performance evaluations under nominal operating settings as well as off-nominal conditions with regard to thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure were all part of the ground qualification testing for the human rating of the CE-20 engine. The CE-20 engine's ground certification tests for the Gaganyaan program have all been successfully finished.[112]

Crew

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Main article: Indian Human Spaceflight Programme
 
Indian Astronauts Corps (2019 Batch) (L-R) Nair, Krishnan, Prathap and Shukla

On 27 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the identities of the first four Indian astronauts: Gp Capt Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, Gp Capt Angad Prathap and Wg Cdr Shubanshu Shukla. From this group, two astronauts will train at NASA facilities in preparation for their participation in Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS)[113] and later crewed space mission from India. Shubhanshu Shukla was selected by ISRO on 2 August 2024, to be a member of the Axiom Mission 4 prime crew, with Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair being disclosed as his backup.[114] They have all served as test pilots for a long time and are wing commanders or group captains in the Indian Air Force (IAF).[115][116]

Ground uniform

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The ground uniforms were developed by the staff and students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bengaluru. Under the direction of the former NIFT director Susan Thomas, the NIFT team—which consisted of three students, Lamia Anees, Samarpan Pradhan, and Tuliya D—as well as two professors, Jonalee Bajpai and Mohan Kumar V—worked on designing the ground uniform for the Gaganyaan mission. The team highlighted the importance for the astronaut-designates' pockets to fit perfectly and the uniform must operate well in order to support their motions. Seventy possibilities were considered before the final design was chosen. The NIFT team examined various space agency uniforms, such as those from SpaceX and NASA. The theme that the NIFT team has explored is asymmetry. The group worked on a two-colored, asymmetrical style line. The design was commissioned in 2021 by the NIFT team, and in 2022, they handed the design to ISRO.[117][118]

Space suit

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According to G. Madhavan Nair, space suit development has already begun in a low-key manner prior to the official Cabinet approval of ₹9,023 crore Gaganyaan project on 28 December 2018.[119] During the Bengaluru Space Expo 2018, ISRO unveiled the prototype space suit for the Gaganyaan mission. The orange colour prototype space suit was created at Thiruvananthapuram's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.[120] The lab began working on the prototype development from 2016. The prototype space suit weighs less than five kilograms and is constructed of four layers.[121] One oxygen cylinder, sufficient for the astronaut to breathe for sixty minutes, can be accommodated in the suit. For the mission, ISRO has already created two suits and is currently working on the third one.[122]

Chairman K. Sivan during an interview with India Today on 9 November 2018 stated that ISRO is continuing the research on spacesuits in order to enhance them.[123] Glavkosmos has also contracted NPP Zvezda for manufacturing customized IVA flight-suits for Indian astronauts.[124][125][126] Indian astronauts visited Zvezda on 3 September 2020, to have their anthropometric measurements taken in preparation for the creation of spacesuits later on. On 7 September 2020, Zvezda authorities announced that the organization had started manufacturing space suits for the Gaganyaan mission.[127]

Hindustan Times reported on 12 January 2024, that in order to double-check crew safety for the first mission, Indian astronauts are expected to don Russian-made spacesuits rather than the domestically manufactured Intra Vehicular Activity (IVA) suits created by Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.[128]

Pressure suit

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In collaboration with Space Applications Centre, Sure Safety, an industrial safety equipment firm based in Vadodara, finished developing pressure suit for Gaganyaan mission called Astronaut Crew Escape Suit (ACES). The experiments conducted in vacuum chambers to test the material under laboratory settings are almost finished as of 18 January 2019, according to Nishith Dand, managing director of Sure Safety. The indigenously developed suit weighs 20% less while maintaining high standards of safety against fire, water, pressure changes and one hundredth of the cost of its foreign counterpart. In terms of life support, oxygen/air management, and CBRN resistance, the ACES will combine the finest features of the Russian Sokol and the American Advanced Crew Escape Suit. The ACES's communications, pressure management, oxygen and carbon monoxide sensors, and biosensors for sensing body temperatures have all been developed successfully. The suit features air diverters, utility pockets, touch screen-sensitive gloves, a flexible hood zipper, and lightweight shoes. The temperature range in which ACES can function is −40°C to +80°C. ACES development project helped Sure Safety became one of the few companies globally with the expertise to create and build these types of suits.[129]

In the event of an environmental emergency within the space capsule, ACES will protect the crew. Its goal is to preserve the wearer's life in the event that the spacecraft unintentionally loses pressurization.[130]

SAKHI

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An all-purpose software called SAKHI (Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction) created by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre will assist astronauts on the Gaganyaan space travel mission with a variety of duties, including interacting with one another and locating critical technical information. Among its many duties, SAKHI will closely monitor their health, sending data on vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. This information will be extremely helpful in determining the crew's physical state during the Gaganyaan mission. Ensuring a smooth communication link, SAKHI will maintain the crew's connection to the ground-based stations and the onboard computer. The app will also serve as a reminder for them regarding their sleep patterns, food regimen, and hydration levels. An engineering model of the specially designed, portable smart device with SAKHI has been successfully tested by the space facility. The process is ongoing for creating a flight approved, production ready model. Fastened to their space suits, the digital platform is always readily available. Additionally, the astronauts can report their journey using the app in a variety of formats, such as voice notes, texts, and photos.[131]

Vyommitra

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Main article: Vyommitra
 
Vyommitra, a spacefaring humanoid robot

On 22 January 2020, ISRO announced Vyommitra, a female-looking robot who will accompany the other astronauts in the mission. ISRO aims not to fly animals onboard experimental missions unlike other nations that have carried out human space flight. Instead, it will fly humanoid robots for a better understanding of what weightlessness and radiation do to the human body during long durations in space.[132]

Vyommitra is expected to be onboard uncrewed Gaganyaan missions to perform microgravity experiments, monitor module parameters, and support astronauts in crewed missions by simulating functions like a human from the waist up. It does not have legs.[133] It is programmed to speak Hindi and English and perform multiple tasks.[134][135][136][137]

It can detect and give out warnings if environmental changes within the cabin get uncomfortable to astronauts and change the air condition. It can autonomously complete tasks and follow new commands.[138]

Launches

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Gaganyaan Launch Log
Flight Date Pad Payload Launch Image Function Outcome
Regime
Launcher
SRE-1 10 January 2007 FLP SRE-1 Capability demonstration for the safe return of an orbiting capsule to Earth. Success
Sub-orbital PSLV C7
CARE 18 December 2014 SLP CARE   Sub-orbital test of scaled down boilerplate Gaganyaan capsule launched aboard the sub-orbital first test flight of ISRO's LVM3. Success
Sub-orbital LVM3-X
ISRO PAT 5 July

2018

— SCM   4-minute test of Gaganyaan's Launch abort system from launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Success
Aerial LES
Test Vehicle Flights
TV-D1[139] 21 October 2023 FLP SCM   High altitude abort test.[96] Success
Aerial L40
TV-D2[140] 2024 FLP TBA Uncrewed mission to test flight parameters.[96] TBA
Aerial L40
TV-A1[140] TBA FLP TBA Uncrewed mission to test flight parameters. TBA
Aerial L40
TV-A2[140] TBA FLP TBA Uncrewed mission to test flight parameters. TBA
Aerial L40
Orbital Test Flights
G1[141] 1st March 2025[142] SLP G1 First orbital test flight of Gaganyaan capsule carrying Vyommitra.[140][143] TBA
LEO HLVM3
G2[141] Q1 2025[143] SLP G2 Second orbital test flight of Gaganyaan capsule.[140] TBA
LEO HLVM3
G3[141] mid-2025[143] SLP G3 Third orbital test flight of Gaganyaan capsule.[144] TBA
LEO HLVM3
Crewed Flights
H1[141] 2026[145] SLP H1 First crewed flight of Gaganyaan, carrying 1–3 Indian astronauts on a short orbital test flight.[146][140] TBA
LEO HLVM3
Crew
  TBD
  TBD
  TBD
H2[141] TBA SLP H2 Second crewed flight of Gaganyaan, carrying 1–3 Indian astronauts on a short orbital test flight.[147][148][144] TBA
LEO HLVM3
Crew
  TBD
  TBD
  TBD
Cargo Flights
G4[149] TBA SLP G4 ISRO’s first ISS cargo resupply mission.[149] TBA
LEO (ISS) HLVM3
G5[149] TBA SLP G5 ISRO’s first Bharatiya Antariksha Station cargo resupply mission.[149] TBA
LEO (BAS) HLVM3

Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment

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Main article: Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment
 
Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) splashdown at Bay of Bengal.

On 13 February 2014, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first boilerplate prototype of Crew Module structural assembly to ISRO for Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE).[9][150] ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre would equip the Crew Module with systems necessary for life support, navigation, guidance and control systems.[151] The mission's objectives were to comprehend the reentry aerodynamics and test the effectiveness of the deceleration system by demonstrating the separation of the apex cover and the deployment of the parachute in a cluster configuration.[152]

ISRO undertook an uncrewed test launch of the vehicle aboard the LVM3-X, for an experimental sub-orbital flight on 18 December 2014. The crew module separated from the rocket at an altitude of 126 km. On-board motors controlled and reduced the speed of the module until an altitude of 80 km (50 mi). Thrusters were shut off at that altitude and atmospheric drag further reduced speed of the capsule.

The module's heat shield was expected to experience temperature in excess of 1,600 °C (2,910 °F). Parachutes were deployed at an altitude of 15 km (9.3 mi) to slow down the module, which performed a splashdown in the Bay of Bengal near Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[153][154]

This flight was used to test orbital injection, separation and re-entry procedures and systems of the Crew Capsule. Also tested were the capsule separation, heat shields and aerobraking systems, parachute deployment, retro-firing, splashdown, flotation systems, and procedures to recover the Crew Capsule from the Bay of Bengal.[155][156] Inflight launch abort and parachute tests were expected to be conducted by the end of 2019.[157]

Pad Abort Test

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Main article: ISRO Pad Abort Test

The Indian Space Research Organisation's Pad Abort Test was conducted successfully on 5 July 2018.[158] A Pad Abort Test is a trial run for the spacecraft's launch abort system (sometimes called a launch escape system). This system is designed to quickly get the crew and spacecraft away from the rocket in the event of a potential failure. The technology developed is expected to be applied to the first Indian crewed spacecraft Gaganyaan, scheduled to be launched no earlier than 2024.[159]

The countdown for the test started at 2:00 am (IST) on 5 July 2018. At 7:00 am (IST) The Crew Escape System with crew module successfully lifted-off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The crew module was accelerated to 10 g[160] and reached a highest altitude of 2.75 km (1.71 mi), it later safely parachuted down and floated in the Bay of Bengal 2.9 km (1.80 mi) away from its launch site. It was carried skyward using seven solid-fueled rocket motors keeping within the safe g-force limits. Later recovery boats were sent to recover the crew module. The total duration of the test mission was 259 seconds. The test launch process was recorded by around 300 sensors.[161][162] Main objectives of test were nominal 20 second ascent and 200 seconds of descent, not including the splashdown.[163] Chute detachment was a scheduled event occurring around 259.4 seconds after launch as intended.[164][165]

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1

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Main article: Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1[166] (TV-D1[166][167]) was a high altitude abort test held on 21 October 2023 at around 10:00 a.m IST.[168] The rocket launch was the second attempt of the day, with the initial try halted just five seconds before the scheduled time. The primary purpose of the test was to ensure the crew's ability to safely exit the rocket in the event of a malfunction. Originally slated for 8:00 local time, the launch was postponed for 45 minutes due to weather-related concerns. The mission aimed to test the CES's separation from the rocket, ability to maintain a trajectory leading to a safe distance, and eventual parachute deployment.[169]

During TV-D1 mission, the crew module experience an unexpected upended orientation while being recovered by Indian Navy from Bay of Bengal. In order to mitigate the problem and improve safety, ISRO is going to test an "uprighting system" that resembles gaseous balloons and works similarly to airbags in cars to keep the crew module from toppling over in the event of lateral wind and sea wave disturbances following splashdown. Redundancy is built into the system to guard against failure. TV-D2 is scheduled to launch in Q1 2024. The crew escape mechanism will use low and high altitude escape motors, while the crew module control systems will mimic the crew seat, suspension, and uprighting systems.[170]

Recovery and rescue

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The Gaganyaan module is intended to land in the Arabian Sea, where Indian agencies are expected to be stationed in order to rescue both the crew and the module. Nonetheless, the space agency has selected 48 backup locations in international waters in case the primary plan is altered. Two landing sites in Indian waters, one in the Arabian Sea and the other in the Bay of Bengal, were initially chosen by ISRO. But the landing spot in the Arabian Sea was decided upon taking into account the choppy seas and unpredictability of the Bay of Bengal.[171][172]

On November 20, 2024, ISRO and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) signed an Implementing Arrangement outlining their collaboration on crew and crew module recovery for the Gaganyaan.[173] International partners will receive standard operating procedures from ISRO regarding the prevention of propellant contamination, the prevention of explosions, how to access crew in the event that doors cannot be opened, and other related matters.[174] Jarrod Powell, General Manager, Space Capability Branch, representing ASA in Canberra, and D.K. Singh, Director, Human Space Flight Centre, representing ISRO in Bengaluru, signed the Implementing Arrangement.[175] Based on its experience in Antarctic operations and remote medicine, Australia is expected to share its knowledge of applied space medicine and life sciences.[176] As part of a backup plan for the ascent phase that ends close to Australian waters, Australia will collaborate with India to guarantee assistance for crew search and rescue as well as crew module recovery.[177]

Docking and berthing of spacecraft

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Main article: Docking and berthing of spacecraft

ISRO will start testing space docking capabilities in SPADEX mission, before being deployed on Chandrayaan-4 and future missions to Gaganyaan and Indian Orbital Space Station. A project report that includes all the information, a study and internal evaluation, and a cost estimate has been prepared and is about to be approved by the government.[178]

See also

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References

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