ISRO to launch Gaganyaan test, Science missions and two data relay satellites in 2022-23
Updated: Apr 24, 2022
Two Important missions involving the Gaganyaan test vehicle are most likely to happen in August and December. The two data relay satellites, critical for tracking the crew module in space and real-time communication, are scheduled for next year.
April 10, 2022; Indian Space Research Organization - ISRO is working towards carrying out at least two test missions to establish crew abort and escape systems using the specially designed test vehicle (rocket) this year, while the first uncrewed mission is expected in 2023. ISRO chairman S Somanath told NewsX: “We are looking to schedule the first abort mission on the new vehicle in August and the second one in December. The relay satellites have not been scheduled for this year.”
The agency's target is to demonstrate the first or abort conditions in August, wherein, it will intentionally simulate and cause an anomaly and allow the crew module to eject and egress, do the tumbling maneuvers, deploy parachutes, and land in a designated spot on the sea before being recovered. Aside from this — which is only one type of abort test — there are different events such as maximum dynamic pressure, maximum acceleration condition, some transient condition etc., in which abort will become critical in flight. In all, ISRO has realized four such special test vehicles, two missions of which will happen this year.
