The Indian space Agency ISRO is preparing to test the rescue capsule of the Gaganyaan spacecraft. In 2024, they are preparing to carry out first an unmanned and then a manned flight.
Tests of rescue capsules
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is preparing for the first flights of the Gaganyaan spacecraft. The organization recently conducted a test of its rescue capsule in the pool. During the operation of the spacecraft, it successfully demonstrated the ability to inflate floats and stay on the water.
Now the organization is preparing for testing in natural conditions. The capsule will be dropped from a great height into the sea and should repeat the same thing. According to reports, this was supposed to happen no later than in October-November of this year.
Tests of the Gaganyaan crew rescue system have been going on for quite a long time. The first test of undocking the capsule took place in 2018. Since then, engineers have gradually moved further and further.
In parallel with the tests of the rescue system, it became known that the upgraded version of the LVM3 rocket was licensed for use in manned flights. This carrier with a height of 43.5 m should put Gaganyaan into orbit in the future.
When Gaganyaan will fly into space
The first flight of Gaganyaan is scheduled to take place in early 2024. It will be an unmanned mission at an altitude of 400 km. During it, the operation of all the main technical systems of the spacecraft should be demonstrated.
Then, perhaps, there will be another unmanned flight, and a manned one is planned almost immediately after it. Four astronauts can be on board the Gaganyaan at the same time. How many of them will be on the first mission is still unknown.
We can only say with confidence that back in 2020-2021, four Indians visited Russia and were trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in preparation for such a flight.
According to www.space.com
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