The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 28th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Burden of power

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Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap and Shubhanshu Shukla — these Air Force pilots constitute the final shortlist of candidates from among whom India’s astronauts for its human spaceflight mission, a.k.a. Gaganyaan, will be selected. The announcement, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit to Kerala, fills the last real unknown about the ambitious mission, which aims to send an Indian crew to low-earth orbit onboard an Indian rocket.

Overview of the Gaganyaan Mission

• The Gaganyaan Mission is India's current initiative aimed at sending a three-day manned mission to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 400 km. 
• The mission involves a crew of three members who will be safely brought back to Earth. The project, approved by the Government of India, includes two unmanned missions and one manned mission, with the first manned spaceflight scheduled for 2024. 
• Success in this endeavor will position India alongside nations like the US, Russia, and China with human space flight capabilities.

Objectives of the Gaganyaan Mission

• Undertake human space flights: The primary goal is to showcase India's ability to conduct human space flights independently. For example, the mission aims to demonstrate the country's self-reliance in this area.
• Space exploration: The mission also aims to establish a foundation for a sustainable Indian human space exploration program. This long-term objective will pave the way for further advancements in space exploration.

Technologies Required for ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission

• Human-Rated LVM3

  A modified version of ISRO's LVM3 rocket, the Human-Rated LVM3, is designed to safely transport humans into orbit. It features a three-stage propulsion system including solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages.

• Orbital Module (OM)

  The Orbital Module consists of the Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM). The Crew Module provides a habitable space for crew members with essential systems for communication, navigation, and guidance.

• Crew Escape System

  The Crew Escape System ensures astronaut safety through in-flight abort demonstrations. It allows crew members to leave the spacecraft in case of emergencies.

• Life Support System

  The Life Support System creates an Earth-like environment for crew members in space, offers emergency escape provisions, and manages crew training, recovery, and rehabilitation.

• Training Programmes for Gaganyaan Mission Crew Members

  The Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru provides comprehensive training covering classroom sessions, physical fitness, simulators, and flight suit training. Training modules include micro-gravity familiarization, aero-medical training, recovery & survival training, and crew simulators.

Gaganyaan Mission Phases

• Testing Phase

  ISRO has planned two unmanned missions before the manned mission for safety concerns.

  • Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT)

    This test validates the deceleration system (parachute and pyro's) using an IAF chopper.

  • Pad Abort Test (PAT)

    This test involves dropping the crew module from a helicopter to understand impacts at various heights and velocities.

  • Test Vehicle (TV) Flights

    The Test Vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this mission.

• Unmanned Missions

  These missions focus on technology demonstration, safety, and reliability verification before crewed flight.

  • Airdrop Test for Parachute System

    Testing the parachute system's performance.

  • Flight Test of Test Vehicle

    Testing the performance of the test vehicle.

  • Abort Test

    Demonstrating abort procedures.

  • Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF)

    Conducting recovery trials of the Crew Module.

  • Vyommitra

    A 'female' robot astronaut designed to fly on unmanned test missions.

• Manned Mission

  The human spaceflight module of Gaganyaan will follow the unmanned missions.

Importance of the Gaganyan Mission

The Gaganyaan mission, India's human spaceflight program, carries significant importance due to its numerous advantages that extend beyond borders. Let's delve into the key aspects:

• Future Technological Advancements:

  The success of the Gaganyaan project is anticipated to spur the development of affordable human space programs. This could lead to explorations beyond our solar system, sample return missions, and further scientific endeavors in space.

• Inspiring the Youth:

  The milestones achieved through Gaganyaan are set to ignite a passion for science and technology among students. This inspiration can drive them towards careers in challenging fields, fostering innovation and creativity, especially in the realm of space science.

• Diplomatic Tool:

  The Gaganyaan mission opens avenues for diplomatic collaborations with other spacefaring nations. This collaboration could lead to joint missions, knowledge exchange, and enhanced international cooperation in space exploration, thereby strengthening global partnerships.

• Scientific Discoveries:

  Conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment facilitated by Gaganyaan holds the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in fields like medicine, material science, and biology. These discoveries could revolutionize various aspects of life on Earth.

• Economic Growth and Job Creation:

  The Gaganyaan mission is poised to stimulate economic growth by fostering the development of space-related industries, generating technology spin-offs, and creating job opportunities. This contribution to India's overall development could be substantial.

Challenges associated with Gaganyaan Mission

• Reliance on Indigenous Technology

  The Gaganyaan program heavily relies on homegrown technology, necessitating intricate research, development, and testing of sophisticated technologies to ensure the safe execution of missions.

• Space Transportation Vehicle

  While the demand is for lightweight rockets, sending humans into space requires heavier vehicles. This poses a challenge in developing custom launch vehicles capable of carrying heavier payloads compared to communication satellites.

• Complex Training and Simulation

  India lacks significant critical space training and simulation facilities for manned missions, leading to dependence on other space agencies or nations like the US and Russia for such resources.

• Regenerative Environment

  Due to limitations on carrying weight into space, the development of a regenerative environment for sustenance necessities like food, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and human waste becomes imperative.

• Creating an Earth-like Environment

  Testing all support systems of Gaganyaan in an operational environment akin to Earth is nearly impractical. Hence, simulating an Earth-like atmosphere within a confined crew module proves to be a formidable task.

• Crew Safety

  Crew safety stands out as a critical aspect of the Gaganyaan mission. Crew members may face challenges such as depression, radiation exposure, fatigue, sleep disorders, and psychiatric issues in the zero-gravity environment of space.