The Gaganyaan mission is a significant milestone for India, marking its first attempt at a manned space mission, set for 2025. If successful, India will join the ranks of Russia, the US, and China as the fourth nation to send humans into space. Before launching the manned mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to conduct two unmanned test flights.
The humanoid skull is a critical component of a half-humanoid robot, known as Vyommitra, which will participate in the unmanned test flights associated with the Gaganyaan mission. This skull is designed to replicate human functions, playing a vital role in studying how space travel affects human physiology.
The design of the skull was undertaken by ISRO's Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) located in Thiruvananthapuram. Weighing in at 800 grams and measuring 200 mm by 220 mm, it is constructed from a high-strength aluminum alloy, ensuring durability against the pressure and vibrations experienced during launch.
The skull functions as the nerve center for Vyommitra, containing all necessary face actuation mechanisms to emulate human facial movements. It is crucial for testing the effects of space travel, including vibrations and stressors, to guarantee astronaut safety in future missions.
Vyommitra is engineered to mimic upper body human functions, such as arm and head movements. It will undertake tasks like controlling crew consoles and recording vital data throughout the unmanned test flights, laying the groundwork for the eventual manned mission.
ISRO is set to conduct two preparatory missions: Gaganyaan-1 (G1) and Gaganyaan-2 (G2). The first mission will concentrate on ensuring the safe re-entry of the spacecraft, while the second will evaluate all mission parameters using Vyommitra in the crew module.
Humanoids like Vyommitra are essential for gathering crucial data regarding the impacts of space travel on human bodies. This data aids scientists in designing safe and comfortable environments for astronauts. Additionally, Vyommitra can perform tasks that may pose risks to human safety. The humanoid skull is covered in a prosthetic material that mimics human skin, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, thus ensuring accurate data collection for the mission.
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Q1. What is the Gaganyaan mission?
Answer: The Gaganyaan mission is India's first manned space mission, scheduled for 2025, intended to send humans into space and conduct unmanned test flights beforehand.
Q2. What is Vyommitra?
Answer: Vyommitra is a half-humanoid robot developed by ISRO to simulate human functions and collect data during unmanned test flights for the Gaganyaan mission.
Q3. Why is the humanoid skull important?
Answer: The humanoid skull is vital for mimicking human facial expressions and testing the effects of space travel, ensuring astronaut safety in future missions.
Q4. How will the Gaganyaan mission be tested?
Answer: The mission will undergo two preparatory tests, Gaganyaan-1 focusing on safe re-entry and Gaganyaan-2 testing mission parameters with Vyommitra.
Q5. What materials are used in the humanoid skull?
Answer: The humanoid skull is made from a high-strength aluminum alloy and is covered with prosthetic material to endure space conditions while collecting accurate data.
Question 1: What is the primary goal of the Gaganyaan mission?
A) To send satellites into orbit
B) To conduct manned spaceflight
C) To develop new rocket technology
D) To explore Mars
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Who designed the humanoid skull for Vyommitra?
A) ISRO's Space Applications Centre
B) ISRO's Inertial Systems Unit
C) NASA
D) European Space Agency
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is the weight of the humanoid skull used in the Gaganyaan mission?
A) 500 grams
B) 800 grams
C) 1000 grams
D) 1200 grams
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What does Vyommitra simulate during the Gaganyaan tests?
A) Human lower body movements
B) Human upper body functions
C) Weightlessness in space
D) Spacecraft navigation
Correct Answer: B
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