ISRO successfully carries out tests of Gaganyaan systems, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted three major qualification tests for the Gaganyaan crew module systems.
• These tests focused on ensuring the crew module's upright position after splashdown, the separation of the umbilical mechanism, and the structural integrity during apex cover separation.
• The successful completion of these trials marks a significant step towards India's first human spaceflight mission, enhancing crew safety.

ISRO.png

Detailed Insights:

• The first test involved the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS), which uses a stored cold-gas-based system to inflate flotation and ensure the capsule remains upright after landing in the sea.
• The second test validated the clean separation of the umbilical mechanism, specifically CSU-2, which links the crew module and service module for electrical, fluid, and communication during flight.
• The umbilical mechanism consists of two parts, CSU-1 on the crew module side and CSU-2 on the service module side, separating sequentially during Earth re-entry.
• The third test confirmed the structural integrity of the crew module during the separation of the apex cover, which protects parachutes and associated subsystems before deployment.
• During the apex cover separation test, the crew module was subjected to loads approximately 1.75 times higher than expected during flight, with measured strain and deformation remaining within design limits.
• The Gaganyaan mission aims to send a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission, returning them safely to Earth by landing in Indian sea waters.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Gaganyaan Mission: India's first human spaceflight program by ISRO to demonstrate indigenous human spaceflight capability to low Earth orbit.
• Crew Module: The habitable part of the spacecraft designed to carry astronauts, providing an Earth-like environment and equipped for re-entry.
• Service Module: Supports the crew module in orbit by providing essential services like propulsion, power, and thermal control.
• Apex Cover: A protective cover for the parachutes and associated deceleration systems, jettisoned before parachute deployment during re-entry.