Part of: Prelims andMains GS-III: Awareness in the field of Space – Space Missions
India’s 1st Human spaceflight programme to be launched by 2023.
It will include two unmanned flights to be launched in December 2020 and July 2021 and one human space flight to be launched in December 2021.
It will carry 3 astronauts to a low earth orbit of 300 to 400 kilometres on board GSLV Mark III vehicle, for at least 7 days.
It will make India the 4th country to send manned mission after the Russia, USA and China.
Components of Gaganyaan
Mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Rocket: GSLV Mk-III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle
Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module – will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days
The payload:
Crew module – spacecraft carrying human beings.
Service module – powered by two liquid propellant engines.
The crew members will be selected by the IAF and ISR.
Crew will perform micro-gravity and other scientific experiments for a week.
Crew Module Atmospheric Re-Entry Technology – Care
Satellites that are launched for communication or remote sensing are meant to remain in space. However, a manned spacecraft needs to come back.
While re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft needs to withstand very high temperatures created due to friction.
A prior critical experiment was carried out in 2014 along with GSLV MK-III when the CARE (Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment) capsule successfully demonstrated that it could survive atmospheric re-entry.
Potential of this mission
Employment generation of around 15,000.
Technological advancement will enhance India’s standing in the world given only few countries have achieved this feat (USA, Russia, China)
Inspire nation’s youth to take up scientific research. Can even attract foreign talent.
Increase foreign investment in the field leading to better infrastructure.
Using ‘space’ as a tool in foreign policy and diplomacy.
Bringing in innovative transportation systems.
Resources to mankind: The ISRO is looking to tap Helium which is present in abundance on the Moon through its future missions which will be very useful for clean nuclear power generation.
Technological spin-offs from the mission to have positive impact on various sectors like telecom, power.
Other upcoming Missions by ISRO
RICAT-1A PSLV C5-2 scheduled for February 2022
OCEANSAT-3
INS 2B ANAND PSLV C-53 to be launched in March 2022
