Mission Gaganyaan TV-D1 Test Flight Accomplished

by Yogi P - November 3, 2023

Mission Gaganyaan TV-D1 Test Flight Accomplished – Crew Escape System Performed as Intended

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on October 21, 2023, successfully accomplished the first test flight of the Gaganyaan mission’s Crew Escape System (CES). The CES is a critical system that will ensure the safety of astronauts in case of an emergency during launch or ascent.

The TV-D1 test flight was carried out from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The test vehicle carrying the CES was launched by a GSLV Mk-III rocket and reached an altitude of 119 km before the CES was separated. The CES then successfully deployed its parachutes and landed safely in the Bay of Bengal.

The successful completion of the TV-D1 test flight is a major milestone for the Gaganyaan mission. It demonstrates that the CES is working as intended and that India is now one step closer to sending its first astronauts to space.

Reaction from ISRO

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath said that the TV-D1 test flight was a “complete success” and that the CES performed “flawlessly”. He added that the test flight has given ISRO the confidence to proceed with the Gaganyaan mission.

Significance of the TV-D1 test flight

The TV-D1 test flight is a significant milestone for the Gaganyaan mission for the following reasons:

• It demonstrates that the CES is working as intended and that it can safely evacuate astronauts in case of an emergency.
• It gives ISRO the confidence to proceed with the Gaganyaan mission.
• It is a major step forward for India’s space program and its ambition to become a spacefaring nation.

Next steps for the Gaganyaan mission

With the successful completion of the TV-D1 test flight, ISRO is now preparing for the next phase of the Gaganyaan mission, which is to conduct a pad abort test. The pad abort test will simulate a launch abort scenario and will test the ability of the CES to evacuate astronauts safely from the launch pad.

Once the pad abort test is successfully completed, ISRO will then be ready to conduct the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan spacecraft. The uncrewed flight will test all of the systems of the spacecraft, including the CES, in a space environment.

If the uncrewed flight is successful, ISRO will then be able to schedule the first crewed flight of the Gaganyaan mission. The first crewed flight is expected to take place in 2024.

Summary

The successful completion of the TV-D1 test flight is a major milestone for the Gaganyaan mission. It demonstrates that India is now one step closer to sending its first astronauts to space.