How is spaceflight safety ensured? Pg 8

Key Highlights

1. Context: Safety in Human Spaceflight

• The return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore from ISS has underscored the importance of strict safety protocols.
• As ISRO prepares for Gaganyaan, safety at all mission stages from launch to re-entry is critical and rooted in global best practices.

2. Emergency Launch Safety

• ISROs Gaganyaan will use a crew escape system (CES) mounted on a tower above the module, unlike satellite-launch vehicles.
• In emergencies, this system will eject the module with high thrust to a safe distance from the rocket.
• Post-ejection, parachutes deploy to ensure safe splashdown in the sea.

3. Abort Scenarios

• Multiple types of abort protocols are planned depending on when the malfunction occurs:
  • Before liftoff
  • After ignition but before launch
  • During ascent

4. Launch Vehicle Design

• Gaganyaan will be launched aboard LVM3, modified to ensure high reliability and abort safety.
• A dedicated solid fuel-powered CES ensures astronauts can eject in milliseconds if needed.

Procedures for Space Safety

1. At Orbit

• Although Gaganyaan wont dock with any space station, crew will be trained to:
  • Stabilize orientation
  • Use onboard thrusters
  • Control spacecraft in emergencies

2. At the Space Station (Training Perspective)

• Astronauts are taught:
  • How to tether themselves
  • Docking mechanisms
  • Navigating inside zero gravity environments
  • Responding to threats like space debris, fire, or toxic gas leaks

3. Re-entry Phase

• The most dangerous stage; spacecraft is protected via heat shields (withstand up to 1,800C).
• Parachutes reduce speed before splashdown (from 750 m/s to 10 m/s).
• Similar escape protocols used in NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin missions.

Past Learnings: Global Accidents

• 17 astronauts and 4 cosmonauts have died in spaceflight-related accidents since the 1960s.
• Notable tragedies include:
  • Apollo 1 fire (1967)
  • Challenger explosion (1986)
  • Columbia disintegration (2003)

Significance

• Gaganyaan is Indias first manned mission, demanding precise safety assurance.
• Learning from ISS and NASA ensures international standard protocols are in place.
• Demonstrates Indias leap in human-rated launch vehicle design.

Analysis & Way Forward

• ISRO's strategy focuses on redundant safety systems, abort protocols, and global best practices.
• As India moves toward human space exploration, continual training, simulation, and international collaboration will be essential.
• Post-Gaganyaan, ISRO can build its own space station or join international manned missions.

Mains Mock Question:

_"Human spaceflight missions demand high levels of safety assurance. Discuss the various stages of risk and the Indian approach to spaceflight safety in light of the Gaganyaan mission."_