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#740
by
vyoma
on 29 May, 2023 18:21
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Updates on TV-D1 and TV-D2 missions. TV-D1 planned in July.
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-looking-at-testing-gaganyaan-crew-module-mission-by-july-says-chairman-somanath/article66907883.ece"We will be launching a test vehicle mission now. Target is to conduct it by July. The vehicle for conducting the test is already here in Satish Dhawan Space Centre here." he said.
This launch would demonstrate how the crew escapes in case of any accident during the Gaganyaan mission, he said.
"The vehicle will be taken to an altitude of 14 km and from there we would create a problem or try to destroy it and see how the crew module escapes. That we have to demonstrate. We are talking to various stakeholders like the Navy." he said.
This mission has to be repeated again and after that there would be an unmanned mission probably next year in which the whole crew module would be taken to orbit and return, he said.
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#741
by
vyoma
on 06 Jun, 2023 17:23
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https://www.cxotoday.com/press-release/isro-awards-gaganyaan-mission-mandate-to-tata-elxsi-to-deliver-crew-module-recovery-models-cmrm/Tata Elxsi, a leading global design company that blends technology, creativity, and engineering has partnered with the prestigious Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to enable the upcoming Gaganyaan Mission. Through the association, Tata Elxsi has designed and developed Crew Module Recovery Models (CMRM) for recovery team training of the space Mission.
ISRO’s Gaganyaan project envisions a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching the crew into a 400-kilometer orbit for a three-day Mission and safely bringing them to Earth by landing in Indian sea waters. One of the key requirements of this project is the safe recovery of the crew, which must be carried out with minimum lapse of time. This is where the crew recovery models come into use. For recovery team training, CMRMs designed and fabricated by Tata Elxsi, that simulated the Mass, Centre of gravity, Outer Dimensions, interfaces and Externals of the actual Crew Module.
Tata Elxsi effectively executed activities right from developing the design configuration in accordance with the initial requirements provided by ISRO, to carrying out structural analysis for various load cases, material procurement and testing, fabrication, carrying out load tests, and transportation of the CMRM and the Ground Support Fixture (GSF).
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#742
by
vyoma
on 08 Jun, 2023 17:32
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/primary-objective-is-a-sure-shot-safe-mission-not-in-a-hurry-to-launch-gaganyaan-asserts-isro-chief/articleshow/100855089.cms?from=mdrGaganyaan which was set to launch in 2022 was delayed due to COVID-19, Somanath said while briefing the media during the international conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2023).
"We have a different way of thinking now. Our thinking is like this that we don't want to rush. That decision we have taken. The primary objective of the human space flight is a sure shot safe mission," the ISRO chief said.
Looks like TV-D1 is now moved to August...
According to Somanath, the first exercise will probably happen in August, which was earlier planned in July.
"So, two abort missions have to take place this year followed by an unmanned mission possibly by the beginning of next year," the ISRO chairman said.
"For me, eight major tests are there and if all the tests successfully happen without any glitch, the launch will between 2024 and 2025 time frame. But if I face problems and challenges, which are natural in this process, I have to discount for the schedule," he added.
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#743
by
sanman
on 08 Jun, 2023 21:39
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https://www.isro.gov.in/CrewRecoveryTrainingPlan_Gaganyaan.htmlISRO and the Indian Navy firm up the Crew Recovery Training Plan for Gaganyaan MissionHome / Crew Recovery Training Plan for Gaganyaan Mission
May 26,2023
Recovery Operations for the Gaganyaan mission took a major step forward with the release of the Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan at the Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, Kochi on May 24, 2023. The training document was jointly released by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Director General of Naval Operations, Indian Navy, Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) and Dr. Umamaheshwaran R, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO
The document highlights the training plan for the recovery of the crew module for the mission. It defines overall requirements with respect to training of various teams participating in Recovery operations viz.marcos, parajumpers, medical specialists, technicians etc. The Recovery training is planned in incremental phases starting from unmanned recovery to manned recovery training in harbour and open sea conditions. The overall recovery operations of the crew module are being led by the Indian Navy in coordination with other maritime agencies
The Crew Module Recovery Model was formally handed over to Indian Navy at Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, Kochi. The mass and shape simulated mock-up will be used for familiarisation and training of Gaganyaan recovery teams. WSTF is equipped with its state-of-the-art facility in the new avatar with a team of highly qualified divers all set to assist ISRO by undertaking a series of trials and fine-tuning of Standard Operating Procedures to train the crew and recovery team of Gaganyaan
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#744
by
vyoma
on 08 Jun, 2023 23:45
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#745
by
vyoma
on 13 Jun, 2023 04:36
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#746
by
vyoma
on 22 Jun, 2023 18:35
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https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/first-abort-mission-of-gaganyaan-to-be-conducted-in-august-end-isro-chairman20230622232553/ [Jun 22, 2023]
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 22 (ANI): The first abort mission for India's maiden human spaceflight 'Gaganyaan' would be conducted at the end of August this year, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somanath, said here on Thursday.
"For Gaganyaan, the first and foremost thing is that the abort mission has to be done. For that, we have made a new rocket called a test vehicle, which is ready at Sriharikota. Assemblies of the crew module and crew escape system are just getting ready," Somanath told reporters when asked about the latest update on Gaganyaan.
He further said, "So I am informed that this month-end it will go for a fully functional testing, vibration testing, etc. So we are hoping that in August-end or so we will be able to fire the launch of this crew abort mission. Then it will be followed by a repeat mission with different conditions of abort. This is planned for this year."
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#747
by
vyoma
on 25 Jun, 2023 20:44
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/decision-awaited-on-sending-astronauts-training-for-orbital-mission-to-iss-to-space/article67002774.ece [June 23, 2023]
While Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden signed an agreement on June 22 to conceive a joint mission sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024, it is unclear if this will involve astronauts currently being trained for the indigenous Gaganyaan mission.
“The details of this mission… on whether someone being trained for Gaganyaan will be part of the ISS trip is still to be decided,” Minister of State (Space), Jitendra Singh, told reporters on June 23. He also said that it was yet uncertain if an Indian astronaut will be in space before the proposed Gaganyaan mission. The agreement mentions providing “advanced training” to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Centre, Houston, Texas.
S Somnath, Chairman, ISRO, told The Hindu that the proposed participants in the ISS was “yet to be decided.” The decision to have an Indian astronaut on the ISS marks a significant change to Isro’s policy that has historically seen little value to having an Indian astronaut aboard the ISS. Mr Somnath in an April 2022 interview to the publication Geospatial World said, “We did not join ISS because in our assessment, we didn’t find merit in joining it.” His predecessor, S Sivan, in June 2019 had stated that India would not join the ISS and would work on developing its own space station. Mr Somnath did not respond to a query from The Hindu on the reasons for this policy shift.
“For a long time there has been a question on whether we should be part of the (ISS). Ultimately this has happened. Certain quarters had some reservations at the diplomatic level but now there is unanimity,” said Singh.
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#748
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 29 Jun, 2023 05:02
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Together with signing the Artemis Accords, it’s clear India has decided where the future of its human spaceflight program is:
https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1674263151649644549
#Update #Space #India #thread (short)
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is keen on #GSLVMk3 or #LVM3 to be used as a crew capsule to service its Orbital Reef, a LEO space station being designed for commercial space activities and space tourism uses, @isro chairman S Somanth told me. 1/n
“We’re exploring… We’ve already discussed it with Blue Origin and they are very keen to consider this option of LVM-3 becoming a crew capsule mission to service the Orbital Reef. It’s a possibility and we are engaging through IN-SPACe,” he said. 2/n
https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1674263331706896384
On the challenge of integrating a docking system that is compatible, he said standard docking systems are in the public domain. 3/n
“...Whoever can design a docking system that matches with the US design and standard, can be used. However, we will still need to have agreements with agencies to try it out... 4/n
https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1674263486883581957
…given that there are multiple interfaces — electrical, mechanical and so on. It is not just one document, we will need to work with them to develop it. We will do that,” he said. n/n
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#749
by
vyoma
on 29 Jun, 2023 18:02
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/blue-origin-keen-on-using-lvm3-for-commercial-space-activities/articleshow/101352730.cms?from=mdr [Jun 29, 2023]
On astronauts training for Gaganyaan flying on a joint Isro-NASA mission, he said: “Possibility of them flying in a joint Isro-NASA mission cannot be ruled out at this moment. However, we will have to see if they are the right candidate for an US mission, or if we’ll need a different set of people who’ve not been experienced with the Russians…the pros and cons will need to be discussed. But I believe that it should be possible to consider them for the US mission at this moment. They are anyway experienced and they are destined to fly. It is possible.”
At present, the four astronaut-elects are going through various phases of training and as reported earlier by TOI, they have completed the first semester of the Indian module after arriving from initial training in Russia.
“The second semester which involves engagement with other academic institutions is progressing while we’ve started the simulator experience at some level but more simulators are being made now. This year, the plan is to complete the second semester training and begin the full-fledged simulator training at some level. Astronauts are giving some feedback on simulators as their experience in Russia is so enormous. We are designing and building simulators and astronauts become the design feedback community and they are participating with us on this,” Somanath said.
Pointing out that India has so far not developed the training environment in the country, he said, the same has to be done using the experience of these astronauts. “Currently, we are manufacturing and installing the simulators. Software and other front-end simulators are already made but we have to make a big capsule simulator,” he added.
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#750
by
vyoma
on 01 Jul, 2023 18:28
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/gaganyaan-first-abort-test-to-be-in-near-supersonic-condition/articleshow/101407779.cms [Jul 1, 2023]
The mission — TV technology demonstrator-1 (TV-TD1) — will be the first of several such tests Isro plans to conduct before the first uncrewed mission under Gaganyaan. Planned for early August, the mission is expected to see the simulated crew module separate from the vehicle at a height of around 11km (from sea level), attain an altitude of around 15km before falling back to the Bay of Bengal. “This particular test takes the vehicle to a near-supersonic condition, that is past Mach-1 (speed of sound) condition. We will abort the mission, ask the CES to trigger the escape process and then the entire chain of events will happen on a short distance,” Isro chairman S Somanath told TOI.
Following this, crew module separation from the ‘damaged vehicle’ will be simulated and Isro will take the module to a sufficiently far distance away from the possible catastrophe.
“...The CM is an open structure that will be unpressurised. Electronics will also be different too because it is just for the purpose of the abort. This will be repeated again,” Somanath said.
“...We had conducted PAT a few years ago, but beyond that the design has changed substantially, so the PAT is no longer valid. The complete system of the Gaganyaan crew module and CES has seen major changes, which means we have to repeat PAT,” Somanath said.
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#751
by
vyoma
on 02 Jul, 2023 17:46
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https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1936874 [02 July 2023]
The first batch of crew recovery team of Mission Gaganyaan completed Phase-1 of training at Indian Navy's Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at Kochi. Utilising the state of the art facility, the team comprising of Indian Naval Divers and Marine Commandos underwent recovery training of crew module in varied sea conditions.
The two weeks training capsule covered a brief on the conduct of the mission, actions to be taken during medical exigencies and familiarisation with different aircraft and their rescue equipment. The training also validated the SOPs formulated jointly by the Indian Navy and ISRO.
On the concluding day, Dr. Mohan M, Director of Human Space Flight Centre, ISRO witnessed the recovery demonstration and interacted with the team. The team trained at WSTF will now be involved in recovery of test launches planned by ISRO in the forthcoming months.
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#752
by
vyoma
on 04 Jul, 2023 22:05
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#753
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 06 Jul, 2023 06:27
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#754
by
vyoma
on 07 Jul, 2023 16:58
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-training-for-astronauts-will-help-in-gaganyaan-preparation-isro-head-8800327/ [July 7, 2023]
“There was a statement on human spaceflight which was about India and the US working together for a combined human spaceflight to the ISS. This particular activity is something that the US wants and India also finds it beneficial for the Indian space program because once an Indian prepares to go to the ISS they will undergo a training program in the US and they are going to come back and discuss how the training and skills were imparted and this will help design our Gaganyaan better,” Somanath said.
Somanath however refuted suggestions that Indian astronauts will first fly to the ISS on a US mission before a Gaganyaan mission is attempted.
“We have not signed any agreement or MoU on this. There has been a discussion at the highest level on having an Indian fly to the International Space Station with training in US facilities. This much is decided at the highest level and we have to work out the details of it in the coming days. An agreement will be signed by NASA and ISRO on this account,” the ISRO chairman said.
“What I hope is that the agreement will define how many people are going to be trained, how many people are actually going to fly to ISS, what type of technical and scientific engagement will happen as part of this understanding. We are in the process of working these things out and we are connected to NASA and we are discussing it in different layers,” Somanath said.
This bit is strange
“Today we have designed the Gaganyaan only on the basis of our one experienced Indian astronaut — Rakesh Sharma. Every now and then I have to call up Rakesh Sharma and find out ‘Sir, how is the handle on the spacecraft’ because he is the only person who can tell us,” the ISRO chairman said.
“If you call someone else no one is going to speak to you. We have four astronauts who have undergone training and they know some of the design. The Gaganyaan craft is currently designed from the information provided by these people,” he said.
“We have to discuss (with the Indian astronauts) and find out the various features – how they sit, how they handle, how they dress, how they control emergencies, how they handle oxygen deficiencies, how they handle replacements. There are so many issues in a cockpit like environment and if we have more and more experienced people our designs will be better. We see it as a possibility,” the ISRO chairman said about the collaboration with the US.
“The current schedule is that there will be an unmanned mission in the beginning of next year. This year we will have the abort missions. The manned mission is being talked about for the end of 2024 or early 2025. It depends on various other scenarios,” the ISRO chairman said.
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#755
by
vyoma
on 07 Jul, 2023 17:24
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SAC, ISRO posted an EoI for the development of push buttons for human spaceflight applications:
https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/Tenders/2023/SAC_EOI_04_2023_24.pdf [July 07 2023]
Under this Expression of Interest [EoI], proposals are invited for development, testing and supply of push buttons meeting the performance requirement and qualification standards required to sustain in space environment.
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#756
by
vyoma
on 08 Jul, 2023 04:08
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/gaganyaan-crew-recovery-sops-to-go-across-the-world/articleshow/101529441.cms?from=mdr [Jul 6, 2023]
Bengaluru: As part of Gaganyaan, Isro is working closely with the Indian Navy to put in place a crew recovery plan upon their re-entry and landing in either the Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea waters. But this is for a nominal (exactly as planned) return and landing. If re-entry and landing are off-nominal, Isro will have to rely on personnel from other countries to recover the module and astronauts.
Given the uncertainties and the fact that personnel from multiple countries cannot be trained, Isro will be sending out standard operating procedures (SOPs) — preventing propellant contamination, explosion prevention, to access crew if doors can’t be opened and so on — to global partners.
“Both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are preferred sites but we will need to have recovery teams in other parts of the world also as the situation need not always be nominal. In nominal condition, we can land in the Arabian Sea. But a little bit of off-nominal condition, it [crew module] may go to the Indian ocean, and a little more, it may go to the Pacific Ocean and another off-nominal condition may see it off the Australian coast,” Isro chairman S Somanath told TOI.
“Coast guards of all countries are connected and we are making use of that. In case of contingency the entire world will be there to help us — to identify, locate and recover. But even this can happen only in some places. Suppose we land in the deep ocean, nothing is possible. Therefore the mission is planned in such a way that we always come back to a coastal zone where there’s a possibility of finding a coast guard ship,” he said.
Isro is in the process of identifying multiple such locations around the globe to see what could be the best possible sites within the constraints of the mission in case a nominal landing cannot happen. “...That will also be part of our programme and mission designers will design keeping all these possibilities and the best would be selected by the mission commander when landing happens,” he said.
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#757
by
Zed_Noir
on 08 Jul, 2023 13:59
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/gaganyaan-crew-recovery-sops-to-go-across-the-world/articleshow/101529441.cms?from=mdr [Jul 6, 2023]
“Coast guards of all countries are connected and we are making use of that. In case of contingency the entire world will be there to help us — to identify, locate and recover. But even this can happen only in some places. Suppose we land in the deep ocean, nothing is possible. Therefore the mission is planned in such a way that we always come back to a coastal zone where there’s a possibility of finding a coast guard ship,” he said.
My bold emphasize
The Times of India news article is wrong about deep ocean location contingencies for returning crewed spacecrafts. There are 2 USAF detachments based out of JB Charleston in South Carolina and JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii tasked for such contingencies. The detachments will airdrop rescue personnel and equipment at the splashdown zone with C-17 transport aircraft. Before the arrival of nearest naval and/or commercial assets that will be diverted to the splashdown zone.
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#758
by
vyoma
on 10 Jul, 2023 20:31
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/voyager-space-signs-mou-with-isro-and-in-space-to-explore-utilization-of-gaganyaan-spacecraft-for-the-starlab-space-station-301872553.html [10 Jul, 2023]
Voyager Space Signs MoU with ISRO and IN-SPACe to Explore Utilization of Gaganyaan Spacecraft for the Starlab Space Station
DENVER, July 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Department of Space and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) to explore opportunities for the utilization of ISRO's Gaganyaan crewed spacecraft to service Starlab, a first-of-its-kind, continuously crewed, free-flying space station.
The objective is to jointly study the potential use of ISRO's Gaganyaan spacecraft to provide crewed flights to the Starlab station. Furthermore, Voyager and IN-SPACe will seek additional collaboration opportunities with various stakeholders within the Indian space ecosystem, including research institutions, commercial entities, and government agencies.
"We are thrilled to join hands with ISRO and IN-SPACe to explore the utilization of the Gaganyaan spacecraft for Starlab," said Clay Mowry, Chief Revenue Officer, Voyager. "This collaboration creates opportunities for joint exploration, research, and commercial endeavors across Voyager's enterprise and Indian space entities. We are eager to leverage the potential of the Indian space ecosystem and contribute to the advancement of space exploration."
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#759
by
vyoma
on 12 Jul, 2023 18:06
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