The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled images of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, poised to carry astronauts into space. ISRO has also announced the impending commencement of unmanned flight tests for the mission.
The space agency on X revealed, “ISRO is gearing up to kickstart unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission, with preparations for the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) well underway.”
The TV-D1, a single-stage liquid rocket designed for this abort mission, will simulate an abort scenario during ascent, mirroring the conditions expected during the Gaganyaan mission, at a Mach number of 1.2.
During this test, the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES) equipped with rapid-response solid motors, along with the CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters, will be part of the payload. The CES will be separated from the Test Vehicle at an altitude of approximately 17 kilometers, triggering an autonomous abort sequence. This sequence includes CES separation, parachute deployment, culminating in a safe CM landing in the sea, approximately 10 kilometers from Sriharikota’s coast.
Prior to integration with the Test Vehicle at the Launch Pad, the Crew Module underwent rigorous electrical testing, including an acoustic assessment, at ISRO’s Bengaluru facility. It has now been dispatched to SDSC-SHAR, where it will undergo vibration tests and pre-integration with the Crew Escape System.
