Gaganyaan is India’s FIRST Human space flight mission. It was previously planned in the year 2020 but due to covid-19 it was delayed. The new launch date has been set to  2024 (crewed). Gaganyaan is one of ISRO’s flagship missions and the first Indian ‘manned’ space mission. In this piece, we’ll find out more about its significance.

It will consist of 3 vyomanauts and a robot for better. It aims to carry 3 vyomanauts to space in LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) for 5-7 days. In total, 4 vyomanauts are selected for this mission, out of which only 3 will onboard the mission. The capsule of Gaganyan consists of 2 areas or modules: the service module and the crew module. 

Gaganyaan will do 2 test launches before the main project to ensure the safety of the pilots (vyomanauts) on this mission. The vyomanauts are currently in practice at the Russian space centres. The spacesuits for Gaganyaan is being supplied by Russia, which will be an iteration of the previously tested suyoz space suit. This space suit is NOT certified for space walks. Gaganyaan will be carried out in GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle; the same launch vehicle was used for Chandrayaan-2 mission.

Gaganyaan is just a starting step to many other related missions. ISRO plans to launch more such human space missions. HSFC plans to send astronauts to the moon/mars and also to near-Earth asteroids. 

But before carrying out the main HSF, ISRO has to test and show that it is safe for the vyomanauts. Some major tests include Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights.

Gaganyaan mission will be carried out on India’s own GSLV MK-III launch vehicle which will be renamed to HLVM3 (Human launch vehicle Mark-III). The major change in LMV3 & HLMV-3 is the orbital module and crew escape system (CES). The budget for this mission is said to be INR 13700 crores.

For better understanding, Gaganyaan will also be carrying a robot called Vyommitra. Vyommitra means space friend.  “It will simulate the exact human functions in space; it will check whether the systems are right. This will be very useful to simulate, as if a human is flying,” said ISRO chief K Sivan. Vyomitra will monitor the module and also perform life support operations. 

The orbital module consists of two modules: the service module and the crew module. The crew module will stimulate an earth-like environment. This module will be pressurised. The service module will not be pressurised and will contain the support for the crew module.  

This article was just a short explanation of the Gaganyaan project by ISRO & HSFC. Stay tuned for launch details of the flight. Tell us in the comments below, if you know more about this. 

All credits

1. Gaganyaan capsule in space image- https://indbiz.gov.in/gaganyaan-gives-a-boost-to-india-russia-space-partnership/
2. Vyom Mitra image- https://www.rediff.com/news/report/pix-meet-vyommitra-the-humanoid-for-gaganyaan/20200122.htm
3. Space suit image- https://www.space.com/41774-india-unveils-spacesuit-design-gagayaan-2022.html