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ISRO Plans Three Uncrewed Missions Before Historic Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has confirmed that three uncrewed missions are targeted before India's first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. He stated that work is progressing well on the first uncrewed mission, with key developments including human-rating the launch vehicle and creating crew safety systems. Narayanan emphasized the critical, long-term role of mission operations, citing examples like the Mars Orbiter Mission. The detailed timeline for these missions will be announced by ISRO at an appropriate future date.

Key Points: ISRO's Gaganyaan: 3 Uncrewed Missions First, Says Chairman

  • Three uncrewed test flights planned
  • Human-rating of launch vehicle required
  • Crew escape system development underway
  • Mission operations are critical for success
2 min read

Three uncrewed missions before Gaganyaan, says ISRO Chairman Narayanan

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan outlines the roadmap for India's Gaganyaan mission, detailing three critical uncrewed test flights before the historic crewed launch.

"Before going for the crewed mission, three uncrewed missions are targeted. - V. Narayanan"

Bengaluru, April 8

Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman V. Narayanan on Wednesday said that three uncrewed missions are scheduled before the Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space venture

Talking to reporters after the inaugural session of the International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations, Narayanan said: "Based on the guidelines, direction and the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are working on the Gaganyaan programme."

"Before going for the crewed mission, three uncrewed missions are targeted. So right now we are working on the first uncrewed mission. All activities are going on well," he added.

The space agency chief further said that the time frame and everything else about the missions will be announced at an appropriate time.

Underlining the importance of Spacecraft Mission Operations, Narayanan said, "Mission operation is an important activity in any space mission. The launch vehicle has to work for hardly 20-25 minutes. This mission operation activity has to continue for a long time. When we talk about a communication satellite with a 15-year operation, continuously, this operation has to be done."

He also cited the example of the Mars Orbiter mission. "For example, our Mars Orbiter mission, almost 300 days, this operation had to be done to make the mission successful," he said.

Narayanan highlighted that in human spaceflight missions, too, the mission operations are very critical, like any other important mission.

Elaborating on the challenges, he said: "Challenges mean it is the first time you are going to accomplish this mission. We have to do the human rating of the launch vehicle. Then a lot of new developments, including crew escape system, environmental control safety system, interfacing the human being along with the machine and software (are to be done).

About the event, the ISRO chief said: "Here the entire discussion is going to be on the mission operations, including all the new technologies. Around 400 papers are going to be presented and discussed. It will be highly useful for the students, start-up companies and also the engineers who are working in this area."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of ISRO. They are methodical and transparent. The mention of the Mars Orbiter mission shows they have the experience. Can't wait for the Gaganyaan launch!
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Rohit P
While I fully support the mission, I hope the "appropriate time" for announcing the timeframe comes soon. The public is very invested and a clear roadmap would build more confidence.
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Sarah B
The focus on mission operations is crucial. A launch is just the beginning. The real test is sustaining the mission for days and months. ISRO's approach seems very thorough.
K
Karthik V
Human rating the launch vehicle and developing the crew escape system... these are massive challenges. But if anyone can do it on a budget, it's ISRO. All the best to the team!
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Nisha Z
It's great that they are involving students and startups through these conferences. Building a space ecosystem is as important as the mission itself. Future looks bright ✨

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