The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun the assembly of the HLVM3 (Human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3) rocket for the Gaganyaan mission. This significant step was initiated at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. This assembly is for the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan program, scheduled for 2025. The process marks a key milestone in India’s journey towards its first human spaceflight, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X/CARE mission. The HLVM3 is a three-stage vehicle designed with enhanced reliability to ensure human safety, with a payload capacity of about 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This assembly is a preparatory step for the broader Gaganyaan program, which aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities by sending astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission.
The success of the LVM3-X/CARE mission aided ISRO’s transition to self-reliance in the launch of bigger satellites. LVM3 has already completed seven consecutive successful launches. The CARE mission’s discoveries have also helped shape ISRO’s human spaceflight program. The fundamental data produced by CARE serves as the basis for iterations in the Crew Module design, as well as following pad abort tests, air-drop testing, and test vehicle flights.
The data gathered during the unmanned flights will be critical to the success of the manned missions. Furthermore, the expertise gained from the Gaganyaan programme would be critical in the development and operation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). This enormous project illustrates ISRO’s long-term vision and wisdom in leveraging existing legacy to advance India’s space sector.
Unmanned flight missions to space are pivotal for both scientific exploration and technological advancement and unmanned spacecraft have been central to space exploration history, from early missions like the Soviet Union’s Sputnik to recent explorations of Mars, Venus, and beyond by various nations. These missions often serve dual purposes of scientific research and technology demonstration. Robotic spacecraft continue to be used for planetary exploration due to lower costs and risks compared to crewed missions, with destinations including the Moon, Mars, Venus, and even interstellar space.
NASA’s Artemis Program was an uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft powered by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, aimed at paving the way for human travel to deep space. This mission was significant as it was the first integrated flight test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems. The Orbital Flight Test (OFT) and OFT-2 of Boeing Starliner spacecraft have been significant in uncrewed missions area. The test flights to the International Space Station (ISS) have been to validate the spacecraft’s performance including its ability to dock with the ISS, and to ensure readiness for future crewed missions. These flights have been crucial for the Commercial Crew Program highlighting advancements in private-public partnerships for space travel.
Russia and China have both independently and collaboratively pursued unmanned missions to space, significantly advancing their space exploration capabilities. Russia has a storied history with its Luna missions, which began during the Soviet era. Recent endeavors include the Luna-25, aimed at achieving a soft landing on the Moon to study the lunar south pole. However, this mission ended in failure when the spacecraft crashed into the lunar surface in August 2023. China’s lunar exploration program named after the Moon goddess Chang’e has seen significant success. Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 missions achieved soft landings on the Moon, with Chang’e-4 notably landing on the far side, making China the first nation to do so. Chang’e-5 returned lunar samples to Earth, showcasing advanced sample return capabilities. China’s first independent Mars mission, Tianwen-1, successfully orbited Mars, landed a rover named Zhurong, and conducted scientific surveys. This mission was significant as it made China the third nation to land a rover on Mars successfully. Russia and China have plans to construct the ILRS on the Moon’s surface or in its orbit. This collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2021, aiming for a lunar base by the mid-2030s. This project is open to international participation but signifies a strategic partnership between the two nations in space exploration.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS). The project aims to establish India’s own modular space station in orbit, with a total weight of about 52 tonnes. It will orbit at approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, providing a platform for scientific research and technological demonstrations in microgravity. The Bharatiya Antariksha Station represents Aspirational India under the leadership of PM Modi and aims to establish India as a significant player in space exploration and technology.
Galactik Views