Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans to send its humanoid robot into space ahead of the Gaganyaan mission. The half-humanoid robot “Vyommitra” will be traveling onto the moon and will look after flight operations similar to humans.
There are many tasks before ISRO to be done before sending Indian astronauts onto the moon. Have a quick read to learn everything about the ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission that has been completed and is in progress.
Vyommitra Into Space:
ISRO is ready to launch the unmanned Gaganyaan mission, with Vyommitra taking control of the flight operations. The launch is set for 3rd quarter of 2024, which can estimate the life support travel of human astronauts.
Vyommitra is half humanoid as it doesn’t have legs but can perform tasks similar to humans with body and hands. Vyommitra will be taking control over the flight operation from the mission’s launch to landing on the moon, including tasks like alerting, performing life support operations, switching panel operations and module parameter monitoring.
It is estimated to complete the human space exploration challenges and tasks, which will support the real-man mission (Gaganyaan mission) to the moon. Vyommitra is a Sanskrit word that gives a meaning of “Space Friend”.
Gaganyaan Demonstration:
After the Vyommitra launch, ISRO plans to launch 3 Astronauts into space, covering 400KM orbit above Earth. This Gaganyaan demonstration mission will take place for 3 days, completing various experiments.
This will support the Gaganyaan mission which requires overcoming certain issues in mission. After completion of the 3-day mission, the crew will be landed in sea waters. This mission will support developing a human launch vehicle, the life-supporting environment in space, escape features and crew management aspects. Several technologies need to be developed, along with international institutes like NASA as well, to support the Gaganyaan mission to the moon.
Gaganyaan Mission Modules:
LVM3 rocket has been reconfigured to support human requirements. It has HLVM3 that supports lifting the orbital module (OM) to a height of 400km low earth orbit. HLVM3 consists of a Crew Escape System (CES) with high burn rate solid motors that take the Orbital module of crew members to a safe distance.
This CES is worked in case of emergency during assent or launch pad phase. The orbital Module will be orbiting Earth and will have a Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM) which have been designed considering crew safety.
The OM has been designed in such a way as to ensure the safety of the crew until touchdown after descent. Astronauts will be trained in Russia as part of the Gaganyaan mission along with a few trainings taking place in Bangalore.
Mission Details:
Gaganyaan mission is being developed for Rs 10,000 Crore and if the mission is successful, then India will become the fourth nation to send humans to the moon. Russia and the US have been dominating space exploration with China moving ahead.
So, India is looking to race along. The names of selected astronauts are yet to be revealed. Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS is manufacturing the space suits for the Indian crew for this mission.
India signed an agreement with the French Space Agency to provide the equipment that they have developed for the space station.
This will include fireproof carry bags and shield equipment from shocks and radiation. India is also in talks with Australia to set up a ground station at Cocos Island for endless monitoring of the Gaganyaan mission.
Conclusion:
The first test vehicle flight TV D1 took place on 21st October 2023. It has successfully qualified the crew escape and parachute system along with a human rating of the launch vehicle. All preparations are going as per the launch. This Gaganyaan mission is jointly developed by DRDO and ISRO in India.
While Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) develops the crew modules, ISRO has collaborated with several institutes worldwide to ensure the Gaganyaan mission’s success.
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