ISRO conducts fresh tests to check parachute systems to bring back Gaganyaan astronauts, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• ISRO conducted tests on December 18 and 19 to assess the drogue parachutes for the Gaganyaan mission.
• The tests evaluated the reefed opening of parachutes under extreme conditions using a sled moving at 600 km/h.
• LVM-3, ISRO's largest vehicle, will launch the BlueBird block-2 satellite weighing approximately 6,100 kg to LEO on December 24.
• The BlueBird block-2 satellite is part of a global LEO constellation by AST & Science to provide satellite-based broadband directly to cell phones.

Detailed Insights:

• The Gaganyaan crew module will utilize a 10-parachute system, including drogue parachutes for stabilization at higher altitudes.
• Reefed inflation is used to gradually deploy parachutes, minimizing sudden jerks during the astronauts' return.
• The Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh was used for the recent parachute tests.
• The upcoming LVM-3 mission marks the third dedicated commercial mission for the vehicle, previously used for OneWeb satellite launches to LEO.
• The BlueBird constellation aims to provide 4G and 5G voice, video, text, streaming, and data services globally via satellite.

Key Concepts Involved:

• LEO (Low Earth Orbit): An orbit around Earth with an altitude of approximately 400 km.
• Reefed Inflation: A step-by-step process of opening parachutes to avoid sudden jerks.
• Drogue Parachute: A parachute deployed to stabilize and slow down a descending object.