The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a significant milestone in the Gaganyaan mission, India’s ambitious human spaceflight endeavor. ISRO, in collaboration with the Indian Navy, has unveiled its plans for the upcoming Gaganyaan abort test, a critical component of the project.

In an official statement released on Saturday, ISRO confirmed that the unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission are set to commence shortly. This crucial phase involves the testing of the Crew Escape System’s performance, known as the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1).

The test launch will originate from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located in Sriharikota. During the test, the Crew Module, housing the astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission, will separate from the launch vehicle at an altitude of 17 kilometers. Subsequently, an autonomous abort sequence will be initiated, followed by the deployment of parachutes, leading to the module’s safe splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.

A significant highlight of the abort test is the role played by the Indian Navy. ISRO has enlisted the support of a dedicated vessel and a proficient diving team from the Navy to recover the Crew Module after it touches down in the sea. This collaboration underscores the importance of teamwork and safety in the Gaganyaan mission.

The Gaganyaan mission itself is an ambitious venture aimed at developing a human-habitable space capsule capable of carrying a three-member crew into orbit, where they will orbit at an altitude of 400 kilometers for three days before safely splashing down in the Indian Ocean.

In addition to these developments, ISRO has provided an exciting glimpse into the future. They recently unveiled images of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, which is slated to transport humans to space in December 2024. This revelation marks a significant step forward in India’s space exploration journey.

As ISRO readies itself for the impending unmanned flight tests, the nation anticipates this historic moment with great enthusiasm. The Gaganyaan mission represents India’s relentless pursuit of space exploration and reinforces its position in the global space community.