Gaganyaan Mission and ISS Developments

Gaganyaan Mission and Indian Space Station (ISS) Updates

1. Gaganyaan Mission Overview:

• Aimed at human spaceflight, the Gaganyaan mission includes several development activities for validating necessary standards.
• Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV M3): All propulsion stages and structures have been developed and ground-tested.
• Orbital Module:
  • Development, testing, and certification of crew module and service module propulsion systems are complete.
  • Engineering model for Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) has been prepared.
  • Development and testing of re-entry systems, crew module stabilization systems, thermal protection systems, and end-to-end avionics are complete.
• Crew Escape System (CES):
  • Five types of motors have been developed and static tested.
  • All CES structures have been prepared and certified.
• Infrastructure:
  • Modifications completed at Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Astronaut Training Centre, and other launch complexes.
• Test Missions:
  • The first test vehicle mission (TV-D1) for CES verification was successfully completed.
  • Integrated Air Drop Tests (IADT-01 and IADT-02) for re-entry system testing were also successful.
  • Preparations for TV-D2 mission are ongoing.

2. Flight Operations and Communication Network:

• Ground network configuration has been finalized.
• IDRSS-1 feeder station and terrestrial communication links established.
• MOUs signed for collaboration with other space agencies.

3. Crew Recovery Operations:

• Recovery resources have been finalized, and a recovery plan is in place.
• Ground qualification tests for new systems developed for Gaganyaan are ongoing.

4. Upcoming Missions:

• The first unmanned experimental mission, including Vyommitra half-humanoid, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
• Following this, two more unmanned missions and the first manned Gaganyaan mission are planned by 2027.

5. Indian Space Station (BAS) Development:

• Target to operationalize the Indian Space Station (BAS) by 2035.
• ISRO has completed the overall structure of the five-module BAS, with the first module's development and launch approved by the government.
• System engineering and technical development activities for BAS-01 are ongoing at various ISRO centers.

6. Budget and Financial Allocation:

• In September 2024, the Cabinet approved a budget allocation of ₹20,193 crores for completing eight missions.

7. International Collaborations:

• ISRO is collaborating with several international space agencies:
  • European Space Agency: Support for network operations for Gaganyaan missions.
  • Australian Space Agency: Assistance in crew and crew module recovery.
  • French National Space Agency: Training for flight surgeons and ground support teams.
  • Roscosmos (Russia): Collaboration for crew seat, viewport, flight suit, wind tunnel testing, and training for the first batch of Gaganyatris at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

8. Ministerial Statement:

• The details were provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Space, in a written response in Lok Sabha.

This summary encapsulates the key facts and developments concerning India's Gaganyaan mission and the Indian Space Station, focusing on technological advancements, international cooperation, and future mission timelines.