ISRO – Gaganyaan Mission

By R Anil Kumar

• The docking test is a crucial step in the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send humans into space
• The Gaganyaan mission is India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, aiming to send astronauts into low Earth orbit
• The Spadex mission will serve as a critical precursor for future missions, including Chandrayaan-4 and subsequent human spaceflight missions under the Gaganyaan programme
• In addition to the docking test, ISRO is also gearing up for the first uncrewed test flight of Gaganyaan, which is expected to take place in December 2024
• India’s human spaceflight programme is progressing rapidly, with the Gaganyaan mission achieving several critical milestones in 2023. From the successful Test Vehicle Abort Mission to the rigorous testing of crew and service modules, ISRO is laying a strong foundation for the future of human space exploration
• ISRO Gaganyaan Mission Budget
• The government of India has allocated a total budget of Rs 9023 crore towards achieving the objectives of Gaganyaan mission

Bengaluru, October 15. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to conduct its Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) mission before December 15, 2024. This docking test is a crucial step in the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send humans into space.

The Gaganyaan mission is India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, aiming to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. A critical component of this mission is the ability to dock spacecraft in space, which is essential for future missions, including the planned Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return mission. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been working on a precursor mission known as the Space Docking Experiment (Spadex), which is designed to demonstrate docking capabilities.

SPADeX Mission

According to ISRO chairman S Somanath, the Spadex mission involves launching satellites in two separate components that will rendezvous and dock in space to form a single operational unit.

This capability is vital for India’s long-term goals, including constructing its own space station. The integration of Spadex satellites is currently underway, with completion expected within a month from the time of reporting. Following this integration phase, full testing and simulation demonstrations will take place.

A critical docking test is anticipated to occur before December 15, which will be essential for validating the spacecraft’s capabilities in orbit. This test is part of the preparations for the Gaganyaan-1 (G1) mission, scheduled for December 2024.

The Spadex mission will serve as a critical precursor for future missions, including Chandrayaan-4 and subsequent human spaceflight missions under the Gaganyaan programme. Successfully demonstrating space docking capabilities is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of future crewed missions.

Vyommitra’s Role & Gaganyaan:

Vyommitra” is a name derived from two Sanskrit words namely, “Vyoma” (meaning Space) and “Mitra” (meaning Friend). This Female Robot Astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor Module Parameters, issue Alerts and execute Life Support operations.

It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to queries.

Vyommitra Astronaut is designed in such a manner to simulate human functions in the Space environment and interact with the Life Support System.

The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human space capabilities, launching astronauts into a 400-kilometer orbit and safely bringing them back to Earth, landing in India’s sea waters.

The humanoid robot Vyommitra will occupy one seat in the spacecraft during the G1 mission.

Vyommitra is designed to simulate human functions and monitor life support systems, providing valuable data on human spaceflight conditions. An unpressurized engineering model of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) will occupy a second seat, further testing the spacecraft’s life support capabilities.

In addition to the docking test, ISRO is also gearing up for the first uncrewed test flight of Gaganyaan, which is expected to take place in December 2024. This flight will be a significant trial to demonstrate the human spaceflight capabilities of the Gaganyaan programme.

The Gaganyaan mission will utilize a modified LVM3 rocket, which has been upgraded to include a new cryogenic stage. This enhancement is crucial for achieving the necessary thrust and efficiency for crewed missions in low Earth orbit.

The Gaganyaan mission is a key initiative led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aimed at sending humans to space.

This programme is designed not only to demonstrate India’s capacity to conduct human spaceflight but also to pave the way for future, more ambitious space endeavours,

including interplanetary exploration.

The Gaganyaan mission is critical for India’s ambitions to emerge as a major player in the global space industry, especially as other spacefaring nations accelerate their human spaceflight programmes.

Initiated in 2018, the Gaganyaan mission has seen extensive development, encompassing new technologies, spacecraft systems, and safety protocols. The mission will be conducted in stages, with uncrewed and crewed flights expected to validate all essential components and procedures before full deployment.

Key Mission Milestones

Test Vehicle Abort Mission (TV-D1)

One of the cornerstone achievements for the Gaganyaan program was the successful execution of the Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) on October 21, 2023.

This mission was designed to test the Crew Escape System (CES) in a high-stakes abort scenario, simulating an emergency during the ascent phase of a crewed flight.

The CES is critical for ensuring the safety of the crew in the event of a launch anomaly, providing the capability to quickly eject the crew module away from a failing launch vehicle.

The TV-D1 mission involved the launch of a test vehicle carrying the crew module, which separated from the vehicle under pre-determined conditions.

The module’s systems, including its parachutes and deceleration mechanisms, were then activated to guide it safely back to Earth. The Crew Module was successfully recovered from the Bay of Bengal with the assistance of the Indian Navy, marking a significant milestone for the programme.

Detailed Testing of the Crew Module

The crew module plays a pivotal role in ensuring astronaut safety and mission success.

As such, ISRO conducted a wide range of tests to validate its structural integrity and performance under different conditions. The module underwent extensive structural testing, which included 11 load cases to ensure it can withstand the physical stresses of launch, flight, and re-entry. The module also passed through environmental tests, including acoustic and vibration tests, to simulate the conditions it will face during space travel.

In addition to structural tests, the module’s avionics systems were validated through multiple rounds of testing. These tests were performed at different facilities, including the ISITE in Bengaluru and the SDSC-SHAR facility.

The avionics systems include communication tools, such as the UHF beacon and location transmitter, which are critical for post-abort and recovery operations.

Crew Escape System (CES) Development

The Crew Escape System (CES) is a vital safety component for any human spaceflight programme, designed to pull the crew module away from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.

For Gaganyaan, the CES consists of multiple quick-acting solid motors that can operate at both high and low altitudes. Testing for various components of the CES, including the High Altitude Escape Motor (HEM) and the Low Altitude Escape Motor (LEM), was conducted throughout 2023, ensuring the system’s reliability under all mission scenarios.

Additionally, separation tests, such as those for the Apex cover and Crew Module-Service Module (CM-SM) separation systems, were successfully completed. These systems ensure that various components of the spacecraft can safely separate at different stages of the mission, such as during ascent, re-entry, or abort operations.

Deceleration Systems and Parachute Testing

An essential part of returning astronauts safely to Earth is the deceleration system, which includes a combination of drogue parachutes and main parachutes. The parachutes slow the descent of the crew module after re-entry, ensuring a safe landing.

In 2023, extensive testing of the deceleration system was conducted using the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) at Chandigarh. These tests demonstrated the parachutes’ ability to deploy under realistic conditions, marking a key milestone in the mission’s development.

Advances in Propulsion and Service Module Development

Propulsion Systems Testing

The Gaganyaan mission uses a range of propulsion technologies to power the crew and service modules. One of the critical propulsion systems is the L110 Vikas engine, which completed its final long-duration hot test in April 2023.

This test validated the engine’s performance under mission conditions, including the stresses of launch and flight.

The cryogenic CE20 engine also underwent extensive testing, including a 720-second hot test in August 2023. These engines are crucial for providing the necessary thrust to carry the Gaganyaan crew into orbit.

The service module is another integral part of the spacecraft, housing many of the systems required for mission success, including life support, power, and propulsion.

The service module’s structure underwent dry assembly and bonding tests throughout the year, and various temperature sensors and diffusers for the gas tanks were fabricated and tested.

Service Module Qualification

The service module is responsible for maintaining the spacecraft’s operational environment throughout the mission.

In 2023, critical progress was made in the qualification of the service module’s systems. For instance, long-duration tests were conducted on the service module’s propulsion system, including tests on the RCS thrusters and LAM engine.

These tests were critical for ensuring the module’s reliability in providing thrust for both normal mission operations and abort scenarios.

Qualification tests for thermal protection systems, cabin pressure control systems, and other environmental control systems were also carried out. These systems are responsible for maintaining the spacecraft’s habitable environment, ensuring that astronauts remain safe and comfortable during their mission.

Crew Training and Simulation Systems

Advanced Training Simulators

Training astronauts for human spaceflight requires extensive preparation, and ISRO has developed several advanced simulators to help train the crew. These simulators provide immersive, realistic environments for astronauts to practice various scenarios they may encounter during their mission.

Independent Training Simulator (ITS): This tabletop simulator helps astronauts become familiar with the controls of the spacecraft. It includes a display system, alert mechanisms, and control buttons that mimic the real crew module, allowing astronauts to practice responding to both nominal and off-nominal scenarios.

Virtual Reality Training Simulator (VRTS): The VRTS immerses astronauts in a virtual environment where they can interact with the simulated spacecraft using head-mounted displays and hand-tracking systems. This simulator offers a highly realistic training experience by mimicking the spatial awareness required during space missions.

Static Mock-up Simulator (SMS): The SMS provides a physical replica of the crew module, allowing astronauts to experience the actual layout and space they will occupy during the mission. It also helps them practice tasks such as reaching controls and operating systems under realistic spatial constraints.

Dynamic Training Simulator (DTS): The DTS is designed to simulate the physical sensations of spaceflight, including the acceleration, vibrations, and jerks that astronauts will experience during various stages of the mission. This simulator uses platforms like the Stewart platform to recreate the physical dynamics of launch, re-entry, and parachute deployment.

Physical and Classroom Training

In addition to simulation-based training, ISRO has implemented a comprehensive physical and classroom training programme for the astronauts.

This includes regular fitness regimens, swimming sessions, and medical evaluations to ensure that the astronauts are in peak physical condition for spaceflight.

Classroom training covers the intricacies of spacecraft systems, mission objectives, and contingency procedures. The second semester of classroom training was completed in 2023, bringing the astronauts one step closer to being fully mission-ready.

Life Support Systems and Environmental Control

Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is responsible for maintaining a habitable environment inside the spacecraft.

The ECLSS controls cabin pressure, temperature, and humidity and provides breathable air and potable water to the crew.

For the Gaganyaan mission, a demonstration of the ECLSS is planned in a reduced configuration for the uncrewed G1 mission. Critical components such as the cabin pressure control system, heat exchangers, and temperature control systems were tested and validated in 2023.

Key achievements included the development of a condensate collection tank, which will store water generated by the crew’s respiration, and a manual condensate pump to manage water in the heat exchangers.

The system also includes advanced thermal management components like the diverter valve, which helps regulate the flow of coolant through different cores of the heat exchanger for effective temperature control.

Mission Planning and Upcoming Objectives

G1 Uncrewed Mission

The next significant milestone for the Gaganyaan program is the G1 mission, an uncrewed test flight designed to validate the spacecraft’s systems in orbit.

The G1 mission will test both the crew module and the service module under actual flight conditions. Engineers have developed mission profiles that will test the propulsion systems, thruster operations, and deceleration systems required for safe re-entry and recovery. These tests are critical for ensuring the spacecraft’s readiness for crewed missions.

H1 Crewed Mission and Future Plans

Looking ahead, the H1 mission will be the first crewed flight of the Gaganyaan spacecraft.

In preparation for this mission, ISRO has been working to optimize the crew’s position and orientation during flight to ensure their safety and comfort.

The crew module’s layout has been designed with NASA’s physiological standards in mind, ensuring that the crew will be in the optimal spine position to withstand the forces of launch, flight, and re-entry.

Safety and Recovery Operations

Safety and Risk Management

Safety is a primary concern for human spaceflight, and ISRO has implemented rigorous safety protocols to ensure the success of the Gaganyaan mission. One of the key elements of safety is the development of a Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) framework, which helps engineers estimate the likelihood of various failure scenarios and their potential impact on the mission.

This framework was developed across ISRO centers to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved in human spaceflight.

Recovery Operations

The Gaganyaan mission’s recovery operations are designed to ensure that astronauts are safely retrieved after their return to Earth.

The recovery team has conducted extensive training exercises, including harbour trials with the Indian Navy, to practice the recovery of the crew module. These operations will involve specialized recovery teams, including MARCOS commandos, medical specialists, and para-jumpers, who will ensure the astronauts’ safety upon splashdown.

GAGANYAAN Summary

In all, India’s human spaceflight programme is progressing rapidly, with the Gaganyaan mission achieving several critical milestones in 2023.

From the successful Test Vehicle Abort Mission to the rigorous testing of crew and service modules, ISRO is laying a strong foundation for the future of human space exploration.

As the uncrewed G1 mission approaches, and with the crewed H1 mission on the horizon, India’s human spaceflight ambitions are set to reach new heights. With advanced technologies, extensive training programs, and a robust safety framework, the Gaganyaan mission is well-positioned to establish India as a key player in the global space industry.

(Images Source: ISRO)