ISRO successfully completed First Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) of Gaganyaan
Formally It is called “In-flight Abort Demonstration of Crew Escape System (CES)”.
TV-D1 is a liquid-propelled single-stage Test Vehicle that uses a modified VIKAS engine.
- The payloads consist of the Crew Module [CM] and Crew Escape Systems [CES] mounted at its foreend.
- CM used was similar to that will hold crew members during ascent to space, but was unpressurized.
Mission Objectives of TV-D1:
- Flight demonstration and evaluation of Test Vehicle sub systems.
- Flight demonstration and evaluation of Crew Escape System including various separation systems.
- Crew Module characteristics & deceleration systems demonstration at higher altitude & its recovery.
The aim was to check CES for its capabilities to take the CM to safety in case of an emergency.
About the TV-D1 test
- It simulated the abort condition during the ascent trajectory expected in the Gaganyaan mission.
- CES with CM was separated from the Test Vehicle when an abort signal was triggered.
- The CM then came out of CES, deployed parachutes, and splashed down on the sea.
Next ISRO will carry out a test flight with a robot, ‘Vyomitra’.
About Gaganyaan
- It is India’s first human spaceflight mission.
- It aims to launch a crew of 3 members to low earth orbit of 400km for three days.
- India will become the fourth country to send a crewed spacecraft to space(after USA, Russia, and China).
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