ISRO to Test Crew Module Stability for Gaganyaan Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is taking steps to ensure the safety of astronauts for its upcoming Gaganyaan mission by conducting tests on the crew module’s stability during splashdown in the sea. This decision comes as a response to an incident during the TV-D1 mission on October 21, when the crew module experienced an unexpected orientation issue during recovery in the Bay of Bengal.
To address this challenge, ISRO is gearing up for the second test mission (TV-D2) scheduled for next year. This mission will precede the comprehensive unmanned test flight into space for the crew module as part of the Gaganyaan mission. One of the critical systems to be tested is an “uprighting system” designed to prevent the crew module from overturning after splashdown.
S Shivakumar, the director of the TV-D1 mission, explained that the uprighting system is similar to gaseous balloons or airbags in cars. If the crew module tilts, this system will deploy to restore it to an upright position. The TV-D1 mission uncovered challenges related to stability, particularly in the presence of lateral winds and sea wave disturbances, prompting the need for such a corrective system.
In addition to the uprighting system, the crew module will feature redundancy systems to ensure mission success. This includes recovery aids such as beacons working effectively underwater, and the successful ejection of sea water dye to mark the landing region.
The upcoming test vehicle mission, scheduled for the first quarter of the coming year, will simulate various conditions including crew seat systems, suspension systems, and the performance of the uprighting system. The mission will also test the crew escape system, incorporating both low and high altitude escape motors.
While the TV-D1 mission was successful, the upcoming TV-D2 mission will test a crew module more closely resembling the final design. This test will focus on critical elements such as crew seats, control systems, and floatation systems, marking a crucial step forward in ISRO’s preparations for the historic Gaganyaan mission.
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