Gaganyaan-1 (from Sanskrit: gagana, "celestial" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") will be the first uncrewed test flight of the Gaganyaan programme, with launch planned for December 2024.
Background
The launch was originally scheduled for December 2020,[2] then in December 2021,[3] but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The flight plan was finally ready by April 2022[4] and the launch is expected to take place in 2024,[5] after the TV-D1, TV-D2, TV-D3 and TV-D4.[6] It was proposed in April 2022 that the crew module should be depressurized,[7] something kept in the final planning.[8]
The first orbiter module adaptor assembly (OMA) was supplied by Kineco Kaman Composites on 23 December 2023. The OMA is a conical structure with a diameter of 4 meters, composed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers. It is combined with the equipment bay shroud and crew escape module.[9] With the successful qualification of the rocket's engines in February 2024,[10] the mission was scheduled for December 2024,following which it was rescheduled to March 1 2024.
After this mission, ISRO will perform four more abort tests before launching Gaganyaan 2,[6] carrying the humanoid robotVyommitra,[14] which was later decided that it will also fly on G-1.[15].
Mission History
The L110 stage for the upgraded LVM3 vehicle arrived at Satish Dhawan Space Center in July 2024, followed by the S200 boosters. A Different Upper stage, the C-32, will be used in lieu of the C-25 for this mission. The C-32 is currently undergoing tests for the flight.[16]
ISRO is planning to place chartered ships carrying a group of eight scientists to be stationed at observation points in the Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, to monitor the unmanned mission.A consignment with a shipborne terminal (SBT), electronic equipment, MV-SAT antennas and its associated subsystems will be sent abroad from ISTRAC for deployment on these chartered ships. This is similar to what was done for the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission.[17][18][19]
^Livemint, Livemint (25 November 2024). [www.livemint.com/science/news/gaganyaans-unmanned-mission-likely-in-march-next-year-isro-to-track-from-pacific-atlantic-oceans/amp-11732513720158.html "Gaganyaan's unmanned mission likely in March next year; ISRO to track from Pacific, Atlantic oceans"]. Livemint. Retrieved 25 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)