ISRO is preparing to launch the first unmanned mission of the Gaganyaan mission this year. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan informed on Friday at Sriharikota that work is progressing rapidly on this mission and no person will go into space. Narayanan stated this after the successful launch of GSLV-F17/EOS-05.
He also mentioned that several other companies and institutions are collaborating with ISRO in the preparations for Gaganyaan. Additionally, he informed that ISRO plans to conduct six more launches in this financial year, which includes the NVS-03 navigation satellite.
Gaganyaan is India's first such mission towards sending Indian astronauts into space. According to the plan, astronauts will be sent to an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers from Earth and then safely brought back. Before sending humans, ISRO will test the unmanned Gaganyaan in space. During this test, it will be observed whether the rocket flies correctly and if the crew module functions properly in space.
In the Gaganyaan mission, merely reaching space is not enough; bringing the astronauts back to Earth safely is equally important. Parachutes have been installed in the crew module for this purpose. These parachutes will slow down the module's speed so that it can land safely in the sea. ISRO has already conducted several tests of the parachute system, and all these essential systems will be tested together in the upcoming unmanned mission.
Many aspects, from the rocket's flight to the module's return to Earth, will be checked in the first unmanned mission. Scientists will observe whether all systems are functioning correctly during the launch. Furthermore, the entire process of module operation in space, re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and landing in the sea will be monitored. If any deficiencies are found during the tests, they can be rectified before sending humans.
The ISRO chairman stated that apart from Gaganyaan, a target of six more launches has been set for this financial year, including the NVS-03 navigation satellite. Narayanan also dismissed the speculations surrounding EOS-05, which was being called a 'spy satellite'. He clarified that EOS-05 is an Earth Observation Satellite whose function is to collect images and related information about the Earth, and its operational period is approximately 9 years. The goal is to launch the first unmanned mission of Gaganyaan this year, and after its success, ISRO will move forward towards sending humans into space.