The Gaganyaan mission is India’s ambitious project toward human spaceflight. The ISRO is planning to send civilians, doctors & scientists to space in 2024.
India has made excellent contributions to space exploration, but it has yet to complete one aspect: sending humans to space. However, the ambitious Gaganyaan mission is set to change that aspect.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the final long-duration hot test of the human-rated L110-G Vikas engine, marking a significant milestone for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
The first human spaceflight is scheduled for as early as next year with the approval of the central government for a sustained human space flight program.
What Is The Gaganyaan Mission?
The Gaganyaan mission is India’s first manned space mission, and it aims to send a crew of 3 astronauts into low Earth orbit for a period of 5-7 days.
The mission is part of the Indian government’s vision to develop a sustained human space flight program.
The first uncrewed mission is scheduled for January 2024, and the crewed mission is expected to follow soon after that.
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Gaganyaan Crew Selection & Training
There are 4 Air Force pilots who have been selected for the mission and are currently undergoing super-skilled training.
However, the director of ISRO’s Directorate of Human Spaceflight Programme, revealed that follow-on space missions of Gaganyaan could include civilians like – doctors and scientists.
The crew members will be selected based on their agility, fitness, ability to comprehend procedures, and performance in simulators during training sessions.
Objectives of the Gaganyaan Mission
The Gaganyaan mission aims to achieve several objectives. One of the primary objectives is to open new doors for research in space chemistry and biology.
Microgravity environments can help perfect some kinds of drugs, and a sustained crewed mission will allow scientists to study the impacts of microgravity on the human body.
This will help them develop therapies that can be used to treat astronauts in the future who embark on long-term, deep space missions.
Experiments & Research
During the three-day crewed mission, astronauts will conduct a series of planned experiments. The other non-pilot crew members, consisting of women, medical professionals, and scientists, will be tasked with conducting research in microgravity.
The ISRO scientists are also looking to develop technologies like docking capsules and inflatable habitats. They are in talks with other space agencies to check if they can dock to the existing space station.
Contributions of The Gaganyaan Mission
The Gaganyaan mission has the potential to make significant contributions to the field of space exploration. India will join the select group of nations capable of manned spaceflight, by sending humans to space.
Additionally, the research and experiments conducted during the mission will contribute to the development of therapies for long-term, deep space missions.
The technologies developed as part of the mission can also be used in other space exploration programs.
Conclusion: Human Spaceflight Through Gaganyaan
India has made several important contributions to space exploration, but sending humans to space has remained an unconquered frontier. But the Gaganyaan mission will definitely change that.
The Gaganyaan mission is a bold and ambitious step towards human spaceflight that is sure to put India on the global space map.
ISRO has the power to change the future of space exploration with its advanced scientific research and development.
