ISRO Unveils First Unmanned Mission under Gaganyaan Programme: A Leap towards Human Spaceflight
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) embarks on a historic mission to launch its first unmanned spacecraft under the Gaganyaan programme, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards human spaceflight.
Preparation and Launch:
The unmanned mission, scheduled for launch in December 2023, will carry a humanoid robot 'Vyommitra' to test the Gaganyaan spacecraft's systems, including the launch vehicle, crew module, and life support systems.
The spacecraft will be launched atop India's heavy-lift rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Objectives and Significance:
The primary objective of this mission is to assess the performance of the Gaganyaan spacecraft and its subsystems in a simulated space environment.
The data gathered from this mission will be crucial in qualifying the spacecraft for human spaceflight, ensuring its safety and reliability.
Crew Module and 'Vyommitra':
The Crew Module is the core of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, designed to house up to three astronauts during future human spaceflight missions.
'Vyommitra,' the humanoid robot, will be equipped with sensors to monitor the spacecraft's environment, including radiation levels and temperature.
It will also be used to test the spacecraft's communications systems and human-machine interactions.
Mission Profile and Duration:
The unmanned mission is expected to last for approximately 15 days, during which the spacecraft will orbit Earth multiple times.
It will simulate the full sequence of events during a human spaceflight mission, including launch, orbit, re-entry, and landing.
Benefits and Future Prospects:
The successful completion of this unmanned mission will lay the foundation for India's first human spaceflight mission, targeted for 2024.
It will also provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of human space exploration and contribute to ISRO's long-term goals in space research.
This mission marks a significant step in India's ambitious space programme, showcasing its technological prowess and paving the way for future advancements in human spaceflight and exploration.
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