In News
- Recently, ISRO successfully tested the HS200 solid rocket booster for the Gaganyaan programme.
About HS200
- It is a 20-metre-long booster with a diameter of 3.2 metres and is the world’s second largest operational booster using solid propellants.
- The control system used in the HS200 booster employs one of the world’s most powerful electro-mechanical actuators with multiple redundancies and safety features.
- Designed and developed by: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram over two years.
- Applications:
- The GSLV Mk-III rocket which will be used for the Gaganyaan mission will have two HS200 boosters which will supply the thrust for lift-off.
- Since Gaganyaan is a crewed mission, the GSLV Mk-III will have improvements to increase reliability and safety to meet the requirements of ‘human rating.’
- Significance:
- The successful completion of this test marks a major milestone for the prestigious human space flight mission of ISRO, the Gaganyaan.
Gaganyaan Mission
- Aim:
- Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft that is intended to send 3 astronauts to space for a minimum of seven days by 2022 (delayed due to COVID-19).
- Launched by:
- ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV Mk III (3 stages heavy-lift vehicle)
- Components:
- Consists of a service module and a crew module, collectively known as an Orbital Module (Crew Module carries astronauts & Service Modules carries propellants.)
Image Courtesy: Gaganyaan Twitter
- LEO:
- It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from the earth for 5-7 days.
- Vyom Mitra:
- ISRO to send humanoid Vyommitra in unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft ahead of human spaceflight (Monitoring module parameters).
Image Courtesy: TOI
Significance of the Mission
- Establish India as the World leader in Manned missions (USA, China and Russia)
- Enhancement of science and technology levels in the country.
- A national project involving several institutes, academia and industry.
- Improvement of industrial growth (IN-SPACe to ↑ Pvt. participation).
- Inspiring youth.
- Development of technology for social benefits.
- Improving international collaboration.
Challenges in the Mission
- Financial Cost: 10,000 crores, critics questions about this over poor & undernourished.
- Technological Know-how: Rocket, Crew Escape Mechanism, Radiation exposure, Transitioning of one gravity field to another (cause osteoporosis) & simulating Earth-like conditions.
- Health Issues: Like Behavioural issues, depression, fatigue, sleep disorder.
Other Major Space Projects
- Venus mission: This will be the first mission to Venus by the ISRO.
- L-1 Aditya solar: India’s first scientific expedition to study the Sun
- Chandrayaan-3: It is a lander-and rover-specific mission, a follow-up of the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
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Source: TH
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