Gaganyaan First Crewed Mission Targeted for 2027: Centre
New Delhi, Aug. 5 (TNT): India’s first crewed space mission Gaganyaan is targeted for launch in 2027, with major human-rating activities and critical system developments progressing across various components of the mission, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Space Dr. Jitendra Singh said the development and ground testing of all propulsion stages and structures of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) have been completed.
He said the Orbital Module systems, including propulsion systems for the Crew Module and Service Module, have been developed, tested and qualified. The engineering model of the Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) has also been realised, while the deceleration system, Crew Module Up-righting System, Thermal Protection System and end-to-end avionics have been developed and tested.
For the Crew Escape System (CES), five types of motors have been developed and static tested, with all CES structures realised and qualified.
The Minister said infrastructure required for the Gaganyaan mission has been established, including the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Gaganyaan Control Facility, crew training facility and modifications to the Second Launch Pad.
The first Test Vehicle mission (TV-D1) for in-flight validation of the Crew Escape System has been successfully completed. The Integrated Air Drop Tests (IADT-01 and IADT-02) with a simulated Crew Module for validation of the deceleration system have also been completed successfully, while preparations are underway for the TV-D2 mission.
The ground network configuration for flight operations and communication has been finalised, with IDRSS-1 feeder stations and terrestrial links established. MoUs have also been signed with other space agencies for communication support.
The recovery plan for crew recovery operations has been prepared, with recovery assets finalised, he said.
The Minister said Gaganyatris have completed generic training at Glavkosmos, Russia, while mission-specific training is underway at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station Planned by 2035
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the operationalisation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is targeted by 2035. ISRO has finalised the overall configuration of BAS comprising five modules, and the government has approved the development and launch of the first module, BAS-01.
He said system engineering activities for BAS-01 and technology development of various subsystems are progressing at ISRO centres and units.
The Minister said major critical technologies required for India’s human space programme, including flight suits, view ports, crew seats and docking technology, have been identified.
The government has approved indigenous development of these technologies, with design and prototype hardware development currently underway, he added.
TNT KS
