• UGI USER
  • Oct 18, 2023
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Gaganyaan Mission

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Why in the news? 

PM reviews progress of Gaganyaan Mission; Calls upon scientists to aim for Indian Space Station by 2035 and sending astronauts to Moon by 2040.

Gaganyaan, India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, is a testament to the nation’s relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of space exploration. It represents a significant milestone in India’s space journey, which started with the launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, in 1975.

The Gaganyaan Programme envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short-term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run.

  • Objective of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight missions to LEO for 5-7 days.
  • As part of this programme, Two unmanned missions and One manned mission are approved by Government of India (GoI).

Purpose of Uncrewed Mission

  • The uncrewed missions are for technology demonstration, safety and reliability verification and will be heavily instrumented to study the performance of systems before crewed flight.
  • Total cost of Gaganyaan Programme ~ 9023.00 crores

International Cooperation

  • Space agencies of India and France signed an agreement for cooperation over India’s Gaganyaan space mission.
  • The French Space Agency is to supply space equipment to the Indian crew.
  • Russia’s Roscomos will collaborate for Space suits and Astronauts training.

Major collaborating partners for Gaganyaan include

  • Indian Armed Forces.
  • Defence Research Development organisation.
  • Indian maritime agencies – Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Shipping corporation of India, National institute of Oceanography, National Institute of Ocean Technology.
  • Indian Meteorological Department.
  • CSIR Labs.
  • Academic institutes.
  • Industry partners.
  • Launch Site : Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota ,Andhra Pradesh

Countries with successful Manned mission

  • United States of America.
  • Russia.
  • China.

Genesis of Gaganyaan

  • 1969: India’s space journey began under the visionary leadership of Vikram Sarabhai and the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969.
  • With humble beginnings, ISRO gradually evolved, launching satellites and missions that put India on the global space exploration map.
  • 1980s :The dream of launching Indian astronauts into space dates back to the 1980s when Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel in space, aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11.
  • In 2004 : the idea of sending humans to space took shape when ISRO initiated the ‘Crewed Space Mission’ program, aimed at developing human spaceflight capabilities.
  • In 2004, during the launch of GSLV-F01, India’s first three-stage launch vehicle, ISRO demonstrated its capabilities for launching humans into space.
  • The program gained momentum under the leadership of former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan. It sought to achieve self-reliance in human space exploration by developing the technology, infrastructure, and expertise required to send Indian astronauts into space.
  • Official Announcement: The Gaganyaan program was officially announced in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, setting a new course for India’s space endeavours.
  • ISRO has established the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru to oversee the Gaganyaan program.

Components of Gaganyaan 

The Gaganyaan program consists of several key components and systems designed to ensure the safety and success of human spaceflight:

Crew Module

  • One of the key technological components of the Gaganyaan mission is the Crew Module, which is designed to carry up to three astronauts safely to low Earth orbit and back. This module is built to endure the harsh conditions of space, including re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

GSLV Mk III

  • The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, India’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, will be used to propel the crew module into space.
  • It’s aptly named “Bahubali” (meaning “strong-armed”) due to its immense power and payload capacity.

Astronaut Training

  • Preparing astronauts for space travel is a monumental task. ISRO collaborated with the Indian Air Force to select astronauts who have undergone rigorous training, including survival training, parabolic flights, and training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

Crew Escape System

  • This safety mechanism can instantly propel the crew module away from the launch vehicle in case of an emergency during the launch.

Space Suits

  • Specially designed space suits are vital to protect astronauts from the harsh conditions in space, including microgravity, extreme temperatures, and radiation.

Russia will be developing Space suits for the Gaganyaan mission:

Life Support Systems

  • These systems ensure a continuous supply of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide, maintain temperature, and provide safe drinking water to astronauts.

Significance of Gaganyaan

  1. Strategic Milestone: With Gaganyaan, India will join the league of countries with human spaceflight capabilities, bolstering its position as a major player in space exploration. India will be the 4th country to have human flight capabilities.
  2. Technological Advancements: Developing the technology required for human spaceflight has multiple spin-off benefits for other sectors. This includes the development of scientific research, satellite development, and interplanetary exploration.
  3. Strategic Value: In an era where space activities are increasingly interconnected with national security, the ability to send humans into space is a strategic asset.

Gaganyaan showcases India’s commitment to ensuring its space presence extends beyond satellites and space probes.

  1. Diplomatic Impact: Gaganyaan has the potential to foster international cooperation, offering opportunities for collaboration with other spacefaring nations in joint missions and research endeavours. It further strengthens India’s diplomatic standing in space forums.
  2. Employment Generation: Ample scope for employment generation and human resource development in advanced science and R&D activities.
  3. Inspiration: The Gaganyaan program inspires the younger generation to pursue careers in science, technology, and space exploration.

Challenges Faced

  1. Technical Challenges: Ensuring the safety of astronauts in space is paramount. The Gaganyaan mission requires cutting-edge technology for life support, radiation protection, and human-machine interface.
  2. Astronaut Training: Preparing astronauts for space travel is an intricate process. It involves not only physical training but also psychological preparation to handle the challenges of space travel.
  3. Cost-Effective Execution: Balancing the costs of a human spaceflight program with its technological demands is challenging. ISRO must ensure that Gaganyaan is cost-effective without compromising safety.
  4. Delays: As with any complex program, the Gaganyaan mission has experienced delays. Meeting deadlines is essential to remain competitive in the global space race.

Upcoming Developments

Manned Mission

  • The first Gaganyaan mission will be uncrewed. After evaluating the results, ISRO plans to send Indian astronauts into space. If successful, this would be an enormous leap for India in space exploration.

Expanding Space Capacities

  • India has plans to set up a new space station post-2025. Gaganyaan’s success is critical for this project, as it will demonstrate India’s capabilities for sustaining human presence in space.

The Gaganyaan mission is not just a technological feat; it’s a testament to India’s ambition and dedication to space exploration. The successful execution of this mission will open new frontiers for India in space exploration, with the potential for collaborative missions with other countries. India’s journey in space exploration continues to be a source of national pride, technological advancements, and scientific discovery.

Source: Livemint, NCERT, PIB.

Mains Question

The Gaganyaan program represents India’s ambitious leap into human spaceflight. Explain the significance of Gaganyaan for India, and discuss the challenges faced in realizing this endeavour. How does Gaganyaan fit into India’s broader space exploration objectives?