ABORT MISSION FOR GAGANYAAN

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• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct two unmanned ‘Abort Mission’ in 2022 to ensure crew safety during the Gaganyaan mission.
• This is a part of ISRO’s roadmap for the country’s first manned flight to space.
• The first test vehicle for this purpose will be launched in September 2021.

Abort Mission Before Gaganyaan

• The abort missions are meant to test the systems that can help the crew escape from the spacecraft mid-flight in case of a failure.
• ISRO already conducted a pad abort test — where the crew can escape from the spacecraft in case of an emergency at the launch pad — in 2018.
• For the abort missions, ISRO has developed test vehicles that can send the systems up to a certain height, simulate failure, and then check the escape system.
• Escape system is designed with five “quick-acting” solid fuel motors with a high burn rate propulsion system, and fins to maintain stability.
• The crew escape system will separate from the crew module by firing explosive nuts.
• ISRO’s focus is on perfecting the system that will launch and land Indians on missions to space and to protect the astronauts if the mission fails.

Gaganyaan Mission

• Gaganyaan is a mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Under the Gaganyaan schedule (to be launched in 2023):
• Three flights will be sent into orbit.
• There will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
• The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
• It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.

Payloads:

The payload will consist of:

1. Crew module: Spacecraft carrying human beings.
2. Service module: Powered by two liquid propellant engines.
3. It will be equipped with emergency escape and emergency mission abort.

GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.

Training in Russia:

• In June 2019, the Human Space Flight Centre of the ISRO and the Russian government-owned Glavkosmos signed a contract for the training, which includes Russian support in the selection of candidates, their medical examination, and space training.
• The candidates will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship, as well as be trained in short-term weightlessness mode aboard the Il-76MDK aircraft.
• The Soyuz is a Russian spacecraft. The Soyuz carries people and supplies to and from the space station.
• The Il-76MDK is a military transport plane specially designed for parabolic flights of trainee astronauts and space tourists.

Significance of Gaganyaan Mission

• It will help in enhancement of science and technology levels in the country and help inspire youth.
• Gaganyaan will involve numerous agencies, laboratories, disciplines, industries and departments.
• It will help in the development of technology for social benefits.
• It will help in the improvement of industrial growth.
• Recently, the Government has announced a new organisation, IN-SPACe, part of reforms to increase private participation in the space sector.
• It will help in improving international collaboration.
• One International Space Station (ISS) put up by multiple countries may not be enough. Regional ecosystems will be needed and Gaganyaan will focus on regional needs: food, water and energy security.
• Chandrayaan-3 Mission: India has planned a new moon mission named Chandrayaan-3. It is likely to be launched in 2022.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT