ISRO Advances Gaganyaan: Parachute System Tests for Astronaut Return
ISRO successfully tests parachute systems, crucial for safely bringing Gaganyaan astronauts back to Earth.
Photo by SpaceX
India's space agency, ISRO, has successfully conducted a series of crucial tests for the parachute system designed to ensure the safe return of astronauts from its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. These tests, performed at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, involved dropping a test payload from an aircraft to simulate the descent of the crew module. The parachute system is vital for decelerating the module from high speeds to a safe landing velocity, ensuring the well-being of the astronauts.
This marks a significant step forward in India's indigenous human spaceflight capabilities, demonstrating ISRO's commitment to astronaut safety and technological prowess. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into a low-Earth orbit by 2025.
मुख्य तथ्य
ISRO conducted parachute system tests for Gaganyaan mission.
Tests performed at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL).
A test payload was dropped from an aircraft to simulate crew module descent.
Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to low-Earth orbit by 2025.
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Technological advancements in space and defense sectors
Strategic implications of indigenous human spaceflight
Inter-agency cooperation (ISRO, DRDO)
India's position in global space race and space diplomacy
Socio-economic impact and inspiration for scientific temper
दृश्य सामग्री
Gaganyaan Mission: Key Milestones Towards Human Spaceflight
This timeline illustrates the critical developments and progress of India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, from its announcement to the latest system tests and the target for the crewed flight.
The Gaganyaan mission builds upon decades of ISRO's expertise in satellite and launch vehicle technology, marking India's ambitious step into indigenous human spaceflight capabilities.
- 2018Gaganyaan Mission announced by PM Narendra Modi on Independence Day.
- 2019Astronaut selection process begins; initial training in Russia for selected candidates.
- 2020-2023Extensive ground testing of various subsystems (propulsion, life support, crew module) and continued astronaut training in India.
- Oct 2023Successful Test Vehicle Development Flight 1 (TV-D1) demonstrating crew escape system.
- Dec 2025Successful Parachute System Tests for crew module safe return (Current News).
- 2025Target for first crewed Gaganyaan mission to Low-Earth Orbit.
Gaganyaan Crew Module Re-entry & Landing Sequence
This flowchart illustrates the critical stages involved in the safe return of the Gaganyaan crew module, emphasizing the role of the parachute system highlighted in the news.
- 1.De-orbit Burn: Orbital Module separates, Service Module performs retro-burn to de-orbit Crew Module.
- 2.Atmospheric Re-entry: Crew Module enters Earth's atmosphere, experiencing extreme heat and deceleration.
- 3.Drogue Parachute Deployment: Initial deployment at high altitude to stabilize and further decelerate the module.
- 4.Pilot Parachute Deployment: Deploys to pull out the main parachutes.
- 5.Main Parachute Deployment: Large parachutes fully deploy to reduce velocity to a safe landing speed.
- 6.Splashdown/Landing: Crew Module lands safely in a designated water body (Bay of Bengal) or on land.
और जानकारी
पृष्ठभूमि
India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, was officially announced in 2018. It aims to demonstrate India's capability to send humans to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and bring them back safely.
Prior to this, ISRO has achieved significant milestones in robotic space exploration, including Chandrayaan (lunar missions) and Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission). The Gaganyaan mission involves developing critical technologies such as a crew module, service module, launch vehicle (LVM3), life support systems, astronaut training, and re-entry and recovery systems.
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding India's Gaganyaan mission and related space activities: 1. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to a Low-Earth Orbit by 2025. 2. The parachute system for the Gaganyaan crew module is designed for a soft landing primarily over land. 3. The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO is responsible for the overall execution of the Gaganyaan mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) by 2025. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Gaganyaan crew module is planned for a splashdown (sea landing) in the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal, not primarily over land. Statement 3 is correct. The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), established in 2019, is the nodal centre within ISRO for the Gaganyaan mission and future human spaceflight activities. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
2. In the context of atmospheric re-entry of spacecraft and related technologies, consider the following statements: 1. Atmospheric re-entry of a spacecraft typically involves significant aerodynamic heating due to the compression of air at hypersonic speeds. 2. The Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), where Gaganyaan parachute tests were conducted, is a facility primarily under the Department of Space (DoS). 3. Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) is generally preferred for human spaceflight missions due to lower radiation exposure compared to geostationary orbits. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct. During atmospheric re-entry, a spacecraft encounters intense friction and compression of air, leading to extreme aerodynamic heating, which necessitates robust heat shields. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) is a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), not primarily under the Department of Space (DoS). While it collaborates on space-related tests, its parent organization is DRDO. Statement 3 is correct. LEO is preferred for human spaceflight due to its relatively lower altitude, which places it within the protective embrace of Earth's magnetosphere, offering better shielding from cosmic radiation and solar flares compared to higher orbits like Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding India's indigenous human spaceflight program (Gaganyaan) and its broader implications?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statement A is correct. Gaganyaan is designed to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capabilities and conduct microgravity experiments. Statement B is correct. Re-entry and recovery systems, including parachutes, are paramount for astronaut safety, as highlighted by the news. Statement C is incorrect. India's Space Policy 2023, approved in April 2023, explicitly aims to enhance the role of the private sector in the entire value chain of the space economy, including satellite manufacturing, launch vehicle development, and even future human spaceflight endeavors, moving away from a purely government-led approach. Statement D is correct. Achieving indigenous human spaceflight capability is a major strategic asset, enhancing India's prestige, technological leadership, and geopolitical influence. Therefore, statement C is NOT correct.
Source Articles
ISRO conducts crucial Parachute Test for Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission | Technology News - The Indian Express
India News: Latest India News, Today Breaking News Headlines from India | The Indian Express
UPSC Key: Parachute tests for Gaganyaan, Funding to political parties, and India’s first Atomic Energy Act
Can Gaganyaan remain stable if one of the parachutes fails to open on time? ISRO conducts test to find out | India News - The Indian Express
ISRO successfully conducts crucial test for semi-cryogenic engines required for ‘heavy’ space launches in future | Bangalore News - The Indian Express