Gaganyaan mission: ISRO, Navy start trials for crew module recovery

The trials commenced Tuesday at the water survival test facility of the Navy in Kochi. During the trials, the flight crew will experience realistic training for escape from a ditched craft under varied simulated conditions and crash scenarios.

The current trials are being conducted using a crew module recovery model that simulates the mass, centre of gravity, outer dimensions, and the external state of the actual crew module at touchdown. (File image)

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In preparation for its first human spaceflight (Gaganyaan), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), along with the Navy, started training for crew module recovery when it splashes down in the sea after re-entering the atmosphere. A large number of trials will be carried out – first in a closed pool and then in the open sea – to finalise the standard operating procedure for the recovery of the crew members as soon as possible. The trials commenced Tuesday at the water survival test facility of the Navy in Kochi.

The Kochi facility can simulate different sea state conditions, environmental conditions, and day or night conditions. During the trials, the flight crew will experience realistic training for escape from a ditched craft under varied simulated conditions and crash scenarios.

The space agency said these trials would provide valuable inputs for utilising the recovery accessories. Feedback will also be taken from the recovery teams and trainers to improve the recovery options, design any accessory needed, and finalise a training plan, the space agency said in a statement.

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The current trials are being conducted using a crew module recovery model that simulates the mass, centre of gravity, outer dimensions, and the external state of the actual crew module at touchdown.

The crew module will be the habitable part of the Gaganyaan spacecraft that will have pressurisation and life support systems for the crew members. In contrast, the service module will be an unpressurised structure containing the propulsion system, power systems, and avionics to support the crew module during the mission. The spacecraft will re-enter the earth’s atmosphere after orbiting around it.

Explained

Manned mission capability

A successful Gaganyaan mission which takes Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit and back will make India the fourth country to have human spaceflight capability after the US, Russia and China. Following this, India plans a sustained human spaceflight programme along with a space station.

The entire structure – the crew and service module – will then be turned around, returning to the ground bottom first, with the thrusters being used to reduce the craft’s velocity before it hits the water.

The space agency will carry out two unmanned flights under the mission before flying the first astronauts to space. ISRO will use an unpressurised crew module for its first uncrewed flight and the test vehicle project – a single-stage launch vehicle used to test the crew escape system while in flight. A pressured crew module will be used for the second unmanned mission and the first human spaceflight.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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