According to top officials, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV Mk3, as the agency gears up for Human Spaceflight missions. These changes to its most-advanced rocket are meant to improve its reliability for undertaking the daunting task of lifting a human-carrying spacecraft into orbit. Additional emphasis would also be paid to the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components.&nbsp;

ISRO is working towards performing two unmanned flights of Gaganyaan, in order to test and certify its systems, before the actual Human Spaceflight. Mandatory testing and qualifications apart, ISRO will also be launching two satellites that are meant to provide communications support for its human-carrying spacecraft. Known as IDRSS (Indian Data Relay System Satellites), they would be placed nearly 36,000km above the equator (where they would remain in sync with the earth’s rotation or at a constant position when seen from earth) and will offer near-total tracking and communication with India’s space assets. It must be noted that a constellation of 3 satellites positioned in a 36,000km orbit can offer real-time, 24/7 monitoring of almost the entire earth.

ISRO intends to launch two such IDRSS satellites prior to the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight. Dr. K.Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, told WION that the Gaganyaan spacecraft would be placed in a low earth orbit, 400kms above the earth. He added that ISRO was looking at launching the IDRSS satellites in 2022. For context, when Gaganyaan is orbiting the earth, but not visible to the ground stations, Gaganyaan can send its signals and communicate with the IDRSS satellites up above, which in turn would relay it down to the ground stations and vice versa. This would ensure constant communication between the astronauts and their mission control on earth.

Referring to the orbital placement of Gaganyaan, he said, "The rocket will put the 7.5ton Gaganyaan module into a 170x400kms orbit (170kms from earth and 400kms from earth at its nearest and farthest points in orbit respectively). Thereafter, the on-board propulsion will raise the Gaganyaan module to a uniform 400km (Low earth orbit). He also added that, the same propulsion system would be used to lower the orbit and bring the spacecraft closer to the earth to aid re-entry.

When queried about the astronauts' mission duration in space and the splash-landing site (Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea), he said that it would be decided in due course.&nbsp;

On the testing of rocket engines, Dr. S. Somanath, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, told Zee Media that minor tweaks would be made to the GSLV Mk3 rocket, in terms of materials being used. However, he added that these would be very minor changes that are aimed at improving reliability and not fundamental, technological ones. Also, the space agency will be laying additional emphasis on the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components. It is pertinent to recall that the GSLV Mk3, which is to be used for Gaganyaan, has had complete success in all its four flights thus far.&nbsp;

Regarding the engines being used to propel the Gaganyaan spacecraft, he said that it was a cluster of five engines. Here too, the engines being used are the tried and tested 440N thrust engines that are in use in the GSAT series of satellites. A system demonstration model comprising a cluster of five engines was recently test fired successfully by ISRO, for a duration of 450 seconds. In the coming months, ISRO will be performing a long duration test-fire of its engines, in order to accumulate more data for human-rating of the entire rocket. It essentially means that a rocket which is used for hauling cargo (satellites) to space is being modified and certified for carrying humans, while ensuring higher safety and reliability.&nbsp;

According to top officials, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV Mk3, as the agency gears up for Human Spaceflight missions.

According to top officials, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV Mk3, as the agency gears up for Human Spaceflight missions. These changes to its most-advanced rocket are meant to improve its reliability for undertaking the daunting task of lifting a human-carrying spacecraft into orbit. Additional emphasis would also be paid to the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components. ISRO is working towards performing two unmanned flights of Gaganyaan, in order to test and certify its systems, before the actual Human Spaceflight. Mandatory testing and qualifications apart, ISRO will also be launching two satellites that are meant to provide communications support for its human-carrying spacecraft. Known as IDRSS (Indian Data Relay System Satellites), they would be placed nearly 36,000km above the equator (where they would remain in sync with the earth’s rotation or at a constant position when seen from earth) and will offer near-total tracking and communication with India’s space assets. It must be noted that a constellation of 3 satellites positioned in a 36,000km orbit can offer real-time, 24/7 monitoring of almost the entire earth. ISRO intends to launch two such IDRSS satellites prior to the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight. Dr. K.Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, told WION that the Gaganyaan spacecraft would be placed in a low earth orbit, 400kms above the earth. He added that ISRO was looking at launching the IDRSS satellites in 2022. For context, when Gaganyaan is orbiting the earth, but not visible to the ground stations, Gaganyaan can send its signals and communicate with the IDRSS satellites up above, which in turn would relay it down to the ground stations and vice versa. This would ensure constant communication between the astronauts and their mission control on earth. Referring to the orbital placement of Gaganyaan, he said, "The rocket will put the 7.5ton Gaganyaan module into a 170x400kms orbit (170kms from earth and 400kms from earth at its nearest and farthest points in orbit respectively). Thereafter, the on-board propulsion will raise the Gaganyaan module to a uniform 400km (Low earth orbit). He also added that, the same propulsion system would be used to lower the orbit and bring the spacecraft closer to the earth to aid re-entry. When queried about the astronauts' mission duration in space and the splash-landing site (Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea), he said that it would be decided in due course. On the testing of rocket engines, Dr. S. Somanath, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, told Zee Media that minor tweaks would be made to the GSLV Mk3 rocket, in terms of materials being used. However, he added that these would be very minor changes that are aimed at improving reliability and not fundamental, technological ones. Also, the space agency will be laying additional emphasis on the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components. It is pertinent to recall that the GSLV Mk3, which is to be used for Gaganyaan, has had complete success in all its four flights thus far. Regarding the engines being used to propel the Gaganyaan spacecraft, he said that it was a cluster of five engines. Here too, the engines being used are the tried and tested 440N thrust engines that are in use in the GSAT series of satellites. A system demonstration model comprising a cluster of five engines was recently test fired successfully by ISRO, for a duration of 450 seconds. In the coming months, ISRO will be performing a long duration test-fire of its engines, in order to accumulate more data for human-rating of the entire rocket. It essentially means that a rocket which is used for hauling cargo (satellites) to space is being modified and certified for carrying humans, while ensuring higher safety and reliability.

ISRO making minor tweaks to GSLV for Gaganyaan, more emphasis on manufacturing process

Launching rockets and placing satellites in orbit has been a routine business for the Indian Space Research Organization. Meanwhile, Gaganyaan (Sanskrit for SkyCraft), a hugely complex mission to send Indian astronauts to space, is a work in progress.

Recently, ISRO announced the successful completion of a crucial test of the Gaganyaan spacecraft’s propulsion system. This cluster of engines would help Indian astronauts remain in orbit and also aid their safe return.

WION spoke to Chairman ISRO, Dr&nbsp;K Sivan, and Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Dr&nbsp;S Somanath, to throw light on the latest test and the mission plan.&nbsp;

The launch of satellites and human-carrying spacecraft are quite similar, but the latter is exponentially more sophisticated in terms of the technology and reliability that has to be developed. In both cases, the payload sits on the top-most portion of the rocket. 
 
The expendable rocket’s task ends about 16-20 minutes after lift-off and it falls back into the sea (in a phased manner), after ejecting the satellite. 
 
Once placed into orbit, the satellite/spacecraft is an independent entity in space that needs to navigate and propel itself, without the powerful propulsion of the rocket that got it up there.&nbsp;

The payload (satellite or the module carrying astronauts) must stay in orbit for a designated mission time, while enduring the harsh conditions of zero-gravity, severe temperature variations, and orbital movement at very high speeds. 
 
For context, the International Space Station, which continues to orbit the earth, moves at a whopping 7km/second or 27,850km/hour.

While satellites stay in orbit for many years, India’s Gaganyaan mission is meant to remain in orbit for upto a week. 
&nbsp;

This process of staying in a designated orbit requires the use of the spacecraft’s own engines. It was this system, Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System – System Demonstration Model (SDM), that was tested a few days ago.&nbsp;

The GSLV Mk3, India’s heaviest rocket, is meant to carry the Gaganyaan to space. "The launch vehicle will put the 7.5ton Gaganyaan module into 170x400km orbit (170kms from earth and 400kms from earth at its nearest and farthest points in orbit respectively). Thereafter, the system which we have now tested will raise the Gaganyaan module to a uniform 400kms orbit (Low earth orbit), "Dr. K. Sivan explained to Zee Media. He also added that, the same propulsion system would be used to lower the orbit and bring the spacecraft closer to the earth to aid re-entry.

<a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/update/28-aug-2021/successful-hot-test-of-gaganyaan-service-module-propulsion-system-%E2%80%93-system">On its website, ISRO</a> mentions that the first hot test of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System was done for a duration of 450seconds at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The system performance met the test objectives and there was a close match with the pre-test predictions. Further, a series of hot tests are planned to simulate various mission conditions as well as off-nominal conditions, it added.&nbsp;

Then Dr&nbsp;S Somanath, Director, VSSC, ISRO, said that the Gaganyaan integrated module consists of two parts - Crew Module and Service Module. While the crew module will house astronauts, the service module will provide the propulsion to raise the orbit and later lower the orbit. "To slow down the spacecraft (which is traveling at nearly 7.5kms per second) and facilitate re-entry, we will fire the five engines (as used in the GISAT Satellites) on the service module. Once the re-entry is facilitated, the service module will detach and the crew module alone will make a controlled descent, with its parachutes and crew module propulsion systems, "he explained to Zee Media.

While the latest test is a boost for India's ambitious Human Spaceflight programme, it must be kept in mind that each propulsion system that goes into the GSLV Mk3 rocket and the spacecraft will be further tested for longer durations and various parameters. Such tests are part of the 'Human-rating' of the launch vehicle and its systems. It essentially means that a rocket that is used for hauling cargo (satellites) to space is being modified and certified for carrying humans, while ensuring higher safety and reliability.

Launching rockets and placing satellites in orbit has been a routine business for the Indian Space Research Organization. Meanwhile, Gaganyaan (Sanskrit for SkyCraft), a hugely complex mission to send Indian astronauts to space, is a work in progress.

Launching rockets and placing satellites in orbit has been a routine business for the Indian Space Research Organization. Meanwhile, Gaganyaan (Sanskrit for SkyCraft), a hugely complex mission to send Indian astronauts to space, is a work in progress. Recently, ISRO announced the successful completion of a crucial test of the Gaganyaan spacecraft’s propulsion system. This cluster of engines would help Indian astronauts remain in orbit and also aid their safe return. WION spoke to Chairman ISRO, Dr K Sivan, and Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Dr S Somanath, to throw light on the latest test and the mission plan. The launch of satellites and human-carrying spacecraft are quite similar, but the latter is exponentially more sophisticated in terms of the technology and reliability that has to be developed. In both cases, the payload sits on the top-most portion of the rocket. The expendable rocket’s task ends about 16-20 minutes after lift-off and it falls back into the sea (in a phased manner), after ejecting the satellite. Once placed into orbit, the satellite/spacecraft is an independent entity in space that needs to navigate and propel itself, without the powerful propulsion of the rocket that got it up there. The payload (satellite or the module carrying astronauts) must stay in orbit for a designated mission time, while enduring the harsh conditions of zero-gravity, severe temperature variations, and orbital movement at very high speeds. For context, the International Space Station, which continues to orbit the earth, moves at a whopping 7km/second or 27,850km/hour. While satellites stay in orbit for many years, India’s Gaganyaan mission is meant to remain in orbit for upto a week. This process of staying in a designated orbit requires the use of the spacecraft’s own engines. It was this system, Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System – System Demonstration Model (SDM), that was tested a few days ago. The GSLV Mk3, India’s heaviest rocket, is meant to carry the Gaganyaan to space. "The launch vehicle will put the 7.5ton Gaganyaan module into 170x400km orbit (170kms from earth and 400kms from earth at its nearest and farthest points in orbit respectively). Thereafter, the system which we have now tested will raise the Gaganyaan module to a uniform 400kms orbit (Low earth orbit), "Dr. K. Sivan explained to Zee Media. He also added that, the same propulsion system would be used to lower the orbit and bring the spacecraft closer to the earth to aid re-entry. On its website, ISRO mentions that the first hot test of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System was done for a duration of 450seconds at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The system performance met the test objectives and there was a close match with the pre-test predictions. Further, a series of hot tests are planned to simulate various mission conditions as well as off-nominal conditions, it added. Then Dr S Somanath, Director, VSSC, ISRO, said that the Gaganyaan integrated module consists of two parts - Crew Module and Service Module. While the crew module will house astronauts, the service module will provide the propulsion to raise the orbit and later lower the orbit. "To slow down the spacecraft (which is traveling at nearly 7.5kms per second) and facilitate re-entry, we will fire the five engines (as used in the GISAT Satellites) on the service module. Once the re-entry is facilitated, the service module will detach and the crew module alone will make a controlled descent, with its parachutes and crew module propulsion systems, "he explained to Zee Media. While the latest test is a boost for India's ambitious Human Spaceflight programme, it must be kept in mind that each propulsion system that goes into the GSLV Mk3 rocket and the spacecraft will be further tested for longer durations and various parameters. Such tests are part of the 'Human-rating' of the launch vehicle and its systems. It essentially means that a rocket that is used for hauling cargo (satellites) to space is being modified and certified for carrying humans, while ensuring higher safety and reliability.

ISRO successfully tests a system that will propel India’s human-carrying spacecraft

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ISRO making minor tweaks to GSLV for Gaganyaan, more emphasis on manufacturing process

ISRO successfully tests a system that will propel India’s human-carrying spacecraft