Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, witnessed a significant milestone in India’s ambitious human space mission, Gaganyaan, with the successful launch of Test Vehicle-D1 (TV-D1) on Saturday. Although the mission faced delays due to adverse weather conditions and technical glitches, the launch eventually took place at 10 a.m.
The purpose of this mission, called Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), is to demonstrate the crew escape system, a crucial element for ensuring astronaut safety during space travel. The crew escape system is designed to protect astronauts by safely returning them to Earth in the event of an emergency.
Similar to how a fighter pilot ejects from a plane, the crew module, with astronauts on board, will separate from the rocket and descend to the sea using parachutes. This test is a vital step in preparing for India’s first human space mission, Gaganyaan, expected to occur in 2025.
The TV-D1 mission aims to evaluate various subsystems, the crew escape system’s performance, separation systems, crew module characteristics, and deceleration systems. The entire flight sequence, from liftoff to the crew module’s safe landing in the sea with the help of parachutes, will take about nine minutes.
The test vehicle/rocket used for this mission features a modified Vikas engine powered by liquid fuel, and the crew module and escape system are mounted at the front of the rocket.
The crew module, which measures about 35 meters in height and weighs around 44 tonnes, is an unpressurized aluminum structure. The TV-D1 mission involves the separation of the crew module and escape system at specific altitudes to ensure safe descent and landing in the sea.
The crew module, which is essential for maintaining a suitable atmosphere for astronauts during their space mission, is heavily instrumented to capture flight data for performance evaluation. Deceleration during descent is achieved through parachute deployment, which initiates at around 17 km altitude.
The TV-D1 crew module will splash down in the sea about 10 km from Sriharikota, while the crew escape system will land approximately 14 km from the launch site.
This successful TV-D1 mission, with an integrated crew module and crew escape system, marks a significant achievement for the Gaganyaan program. It paves the way for further qualification tests and unmanned missions, ultimately leading to India’s first Gaganyaan mission with Indian astronauts.
