In late December, the Indian Minister of Science and Technology, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh declared in Parliament that 2024 will mark India‘s first human space flight mission, the Gaganyaan. The H1 mission is expected to have unmanned pre-launch phases to ensure that all safety measures are in place. The tests are scheduled to take place at the end of 2023.
The Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters. The Indian minister announced that the preparation plans for the first batch of astronauts have already begun. In fact, the beginning of training in this area dates back to a few semesters ago and will continue until the launch itself.
The astronaut designates for human space flight missions have been identified. They are undergoing their mission-related training at Bengaluru.
Jitendra Singh, Indian Minister of Science and Technology
Singh informed the House that the first semester of astronaut-designate training has been completed wherein they were trained with various course modules and theoretical basics, specie medicines, launch vehicles and spacecraft systems. He elaborated that regular physical fitness sessions and aeromedical knowledge, flying practices and other mission-specific training are being imparted to the astronaut designates.
In order to develop the H1 mission, researchers who have previously worked in other space agencies will be involved. Human capital from abroad will offer first hand knowledge behind the spacecraft and rockets present in NASA, ESA or the Chinese department in charge of space research, among others. Something similar happens with the so-called launch windows, a key element to be taken into account and that has been analyzed by the world’s leading powers in the field. According to information from Hindustan Times, important developments in the space race are expected to happen in India over the next few years.
The project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering in-house expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia & research institutions along with cutting edge technologies available with international agencies. The pre-requisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
Various precursor missions are planned for demonstrating the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission. These demonstrator missions include Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned mission.
1. Human rated LVM3 rocket
The well proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission. It consists of solid stage, liquid stage and cryogenic stage. All systems in the LVM3 launch vehicle are re-configured to meet human rating requirements and christened Human Rated LVM3. HLVM3 will be capable of launching the Orbital Module to an intended Low Earth Orbit of 400 km.
HLVM3 consists of Crew Escape System (CES) powered by a set of quick acting, high burn rate solid motors which ensures that Crew Module along with crew is taken to a safe distance in case of any emergency either at launch pad or during ascent phase.
2. Crew training for Gaganyaan
Astronaut Training Facility established in Bengaluru caters to Classroom training, Physical Fitness training, Simulator training and Flight suit training. Training modules cover academic courses, Gaganyaan Flight Systems, Micro-gravity familiarization through Parabolic Flights, Aero-medical training, Recovery & Survival training, mastering of Flight Procedures and training on Crew Training Simulators. Aero medical training, Periodical flying practice and Yoga are also included as part of the training.
