ISRO Plans Three Additional Test Missions for Gaganyaan Program

ISRO Plans Three Additional Test Missions for Gaganyaan Program

VoM News Desk | October 15, 2023 | 07:27 AM IST | Breaking News, Space & Research | Follow on Google News

ISRO Plans Three Additional Test Missions for Gaganyaan Program

ISRO Plans Three Additional Test Missions for Gaganyaan Program

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is embarking on three more test vehicle missions following the maiden TV-D1 test flight, scheduled for October 21, within the ambitious Gaganyaan program. The Gaganyaan project is designed to showcase India’s human spaceflight capabilities by launching a human crew into a 400 km orbit and safely returning them to Earth by landing in the Indian sea waters. The TV-D1 test flight will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, to evaluate the crew module intended for housing Indian astronauts during the upcoming human spaceflight.

Comprehensive Test Flight Sequence

ISRO Chairman S Somanath disclosed, “The first test vehicle flight for the Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for October 21. Subsequently, we have outlined plans for three additional test missions—D2, D3, D4. We will conduct thorough tests during this test flight sequence.” Mr. Somanath, who also serves as the secretary for the Department of Space, shared this information during his interaction with reporters in Madurai, where he was participating in various events in Rameswaram. The TV-D1 mission encompasses launching the crew module into outer space, safely returning it to Earth, and successfully recovering it after touchdown in the Bay of Bengal.

Exciting Solar Mission Progress::ISRO Plans Three Additional Test Missions for Gaganyaan Program

Regarding the Aditya-L1 program, ISRO’s maiden solar mission, Somanath expressed optimism that the spacecraft would reach the Lagrange point (L1) around mid-January 2024. At this point, the spacecraft will be inserted into L1, enabling various scientific experiments from that vantage point. Last week, ISRO scientists performed a trajectory correction maneuver on the Aditya L1 spacecraft. The Aditya L1 spacecraft was launched on September 2 using a PSLV-C57 rocket.

New Launch Pad Benefits and Future Prospects

Somanath also touched upon the establishment of a new launch pad in Kulasekarapattinam, Tuticorin district. He explained the numerous advantages ISRO would derive from this launch pad, emphasizing its utility for launching smaller rockets and serving private players. He highlighted that larger rockets like PSLV currently need to change course over Sri Lanka due to the eastern location of the existing launch pad in Sriharikota. In contrast, the Kulasekarapattinam launch pad’s southern orientation would eliminate the need for such course adjustments, enhancing efficiency.

Mr. Somanath stated that “smaller satellite launch vehicles and private players will be able to use that launch pad in Kulasekarapattinam.” The land acquisition process for this new launch pad is underway, with an expected completion time of two years.

ISRO Expands Space Endeavors and Future Prospects

ISRO is intensifying its Gaganyaan program with additional test missions and making progress in various space endeavors, such as the Aditya-L1 solar mission

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