The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will begin a series of test flights for India’s first human spaceflight from February next year, a senior official said today. Thursday.
The space agency also plans to deploy heavy Chinook helicopters and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft to test the crew module, which will send astronauts into orbit for three days as a part of Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, R Umamaheshwaran, Director of ISROHuman Space Flight Center said.
Addressing the Indian Space Congress, he said that scientists at ISRO have completed the design of the Environmental Control System, which aims to ensure the surrounding living conditions for the astronauts in the service module. crew as they were orbiting The earth.
At least 17 different tests are planned by ISRO next year before it makes a drone flight next December.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gaganyaan Mission in his 2018 Independence Day speech with the goal expected to be achieved by 2022, when the country completes 75 years of freedom from colonial rule.
However, the COVID pandemic led to many delays and the first Indians astronaut capable of taking on their maidenhood space flight to the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
Umamaheshwaran said the task of designing the crew module and the environment control system was a challenge because the astronauts had to feel comfortable even during the re-entry phase, when the outside temperature space Capsules can reach more than 2000 degrees Celsius.
“The Crew Module, where the astronauts are supposed to sit and fly, is completed and construction work is underway. Within six months, we will receive the crew module.” , he said on the sidelines of an event organized by the SatCom Industry Association .
Umamaheshwaran said the environmental control system was an important element of the project as it provided the surrounding living conditions in the crew module.
“We have to provide oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, remove moisture, maintain temperature and also make sure there is no fire hazard. This is a very complex technology that no other country provides for them. me,” he said.
Senior scientists say they have decided to develop an indigenous environmental control system.
“We have design capabilities, so we’re doing that and it’s just taking a little while. We’ve done all the design and now it’s time to demonstrate that anything has worked. designed to be safe enough. That’s the whole effort,” said Umamaheshwaran.
He said four candidates had been shortlisted for the spaceflight and had completed their initial training in Russia.
The shortlisted astronauts are currently receiving further training at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, he said.
