Mission Gaganyaan
Context:
The first batch of crew recovery team of Mission Gaganyaan completed Phase-1 of training at Indian Navy’s Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at Kochi. Utilising the state of the art facility, the team comprising of Indian Naval Divers and Marine Commandos underwent recovery training of crew module in varied sea conditions.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Space technology)
About:
Gaganyaan Mission:
- Gaganyaan is a mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- It consists of three flights, including two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
- The Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
- It will orbit Earth at a low-earth orbit of 300-400 km for 5-7 days.
Payloads:
- The payload includes a crew module and a service module powered by two liquid propellant engines.
- It is equipped with emergency escape and mission abort capabilities.
Launch:
- GSLV Mk III (LVM-3), a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used for the Gaganyaan mission.
Training in Russia:
- ISRO and Glavkosmos signed a contract for training, including candidate selection, medical examination, and space training.
- Training includes studying the systems of the Soyuz spacecraft and experiencing short-term weightlessness aboard the Il-76MDK aircraft.
Significance:
- Gaganyaan will enhance science and technology levels and inspire youth in India.
- It involves various agencies, laboratories, industries, and departments.
- It contributes to industrial growth and technology development for social benefits.
- It promotes international collaboration and focuses on regional needs for food, water, and energy security.
India’s Other Projects:
- Chandrayaan-3 Mission: A planned moon mission set to launch in early 2021.
- Shukrayaan Mission: A mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaan, being planned by ISRO
