On Saturday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) executed the third significant phase of testing in the ambitious Gaganyaan Mission, aimed at sending Indian astronauts into space.
The successful test flight involved the launch of the liquid-propelled single-stage Test Vehicle (TV-D1) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This flight had a short yet vital purpose: to carry a homegrown system crucial for the safety of Indian astronauts, namely, the Crew Escape System.
During the test, various motors were validated for use in this mission, encompassing low-altitude motors, high-altitude motors, and jettisoning motors. These components are essential for safely ejecting astronauts away from the spacecraft in case of an emergency. Isro Chief S Somnath confirmed the mission's success, affirming that its objectives had been met.
It's noteworthy that the launch encountered an initial delay due to an anomaly, which was subsequently rectified, leading to liftoff at 10 a.m.
The sequence of the flight began with the launch of TV-D1, with the fin-enabling system activated six seconds into the flight. This was followed by the activation of the Crew Escape System Pillbox at a speed corresponding to a Mach number of 1.25, at an altitude of 11.8 km. Next, the High Energy Motor (HEM) was ignited, propelling the vehicle deeper into the atmosphere.
Approximately 61.1 seconds after liftoff, when the vehicle reached a Mach number of 1.21 at an altitude of 11.9 km, the Crew Escape System separated from the rocket booster. Further up, at an altitude of 16.9 kilometres, the Crew Module detached from the Crew Escape System while travelling at a speed of 550 kilometres per hour. Following this, the drogue parachute was deployed, slowing the descent of the vehicle.
"Mission Gaganyaan TV D1 Test Flight is accomplished. Crew Escape System performed as intended. Mission Gaganyaan gets off on a successful note," Isro reported.
This system, similar to fighter jet ejection seats, functions as a protective mechanism for astronauts during spaceflight anomalies. In crewed rocket missions, precision and science take precedence. The system operates automatically, triggered by computer-based detection of malfunctions or issues just after liftoff but before rocket stage separation. Although not a novel concept, it is a critical tool used by space agencies worldwide to ensure the safety of astronauts during the turbulent early phases of ascent.
The test launch aimed to assess and validate the system's performance, particularly during the initial stages of the launch, in the event of an emergency.
The Crew Escape System's role is to jettison the Crew Module, along with the astronauts, to a safe distance away from the rocket in the event of a critical issue detected by the onboard computer. Subsequently, the Crew Module separates and makes a controlled splashdown in the sea, facilitated by parachutes.
The design of the escape system is inspired by models utilized on NASA and SpaceX rockets, which are part of contingency plans to ensure astronaut safety during space missions.
The data collected from this test will serve to further enhance the system's capabilities as India progresses towards launching its first astronauts aboard the Gaganyaan Mission.
Isro has previously conducted two significant tests, including evaluating the LVM-3 rocket intended for the Gaganyaan mission launch and performing a pad abort test of the Crew Escape System in 2018. The pad abort test had a duration of 259 seconds and involved the ascent and descent of the Crew Escape System and crew module, with a landing approximately 2.9 km from Sriharikota.
With this successful test flight, India is a step closer to realizing the dream of sending its first astronaut into space from its own territory. The Indian space agency has plans to send its first group of trained astronauts into space by 2025 and to the Moon by 2040.
