The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed a crucial test of the main parachutes designed for the Gaganyaan Crew Module. This achievement marks a significant milestone in India's ambitious human spaceflight program.
Gaganyaan represents India’s first indigenous initiative aimed at sending Indian astronauts into space aboard a spacecraft developed in the country. This program is pivotal for showcasing India's growing capabilities in space technology.
For the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO has selected the LVM3 rocket, a proven heavy-lift launcher. This rocket features three stages of propulsion: a solid booster stage, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage, ensuring the necessary power for crewed missions.
The primary aim of the Gaganyaan mission is to demonstrate India's capability to send a human crew into a low-Earth orbit, approximately 400 km above the Earth's surface. The mission will ensure the safe return of astronauts with a splashdown in Indian waters.
These objectives underscore India’s advancements in the development and qualification of complex space technologies, emphasizing the nation’s growing prowess in space exploration.
Low Earth Orbit refers to orbits around Earth that are located at altitudes up to approximately 1,200 miles (2,000 km). This proximity to Earth makes LEO ideal for various missions, including communication satellites, Earth observation, and transport of cargo and crew.
Notably, the International Space Station (ISS) operates within this orbital range, reinforcing the strategic importance of LEO for space missions.
The Crew Module's parachute system consists of ten parachutes across four different types, designed to ensure a safe and controlled descent during re-entry. The deployment sequence is crucial for stability and safety:
A pyrotechnic device precisely controls the timing of each deployment stage, ensuring a smooth and secure landing process.
India's long-term space roadmap outlines several significant missions for the future:
These ambitious plans highlight India's commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities.
Q1. What is the Gaganyaan mission?
Answer: The Gaganyaan mission is India's first indigenous human spaceflight initiative aimed at sending astronauts into space aboard a domestically-built spacecraft.
Q2. What is the significance of Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?
Answer: Low Earth Orbit is crucial for various space missions, including satellite launches and crew transport, due to its proximity to Earth, facilitating rapid operational capabilities.
Q3. How many parachutes are in the Gaganyaan Crew Module?
Answer: The Gaganyaan Crew Module's parachute system consists of 10 parachutes of four different types, designed to ensure a safe descent during re-entry.
Q4. What technologies are being validated in the Gaganyaan mission?
Answer: The mission aims to validate life-support systems, crew escape mechanisms, avionics, and safe landing technologies essential for human spaceflight.
Q5. What are the future missions planned after Gaganyaan?
Answer: Future missions include the Chandramitra lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, a Venus exploration mission, and plans for a space station by 2035.
Question 1: What is the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission?
A) PSLV
B) LVM3
C) GSLV
D) RLV
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: In what year is India expected to conduct its first human spaceflight?
A) 2025
B) 2027
C) 2029
D) 2030
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is the altitude range for Low Earth Orbit?
A) 100-500 km
B) 200-1,200 km
C) 300-2,000 km
D) 400-1,600 km
Correct Answer: B
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