Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight mission. It is being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the goal of demonstrating India's capability to undertake human spaceflight missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and laying the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration program in the long run.
The Gaganyaan mission will consist of three phases:
• Phase 1: Uncrewed test flights to demonstrate the integrity of the spacecraft and launch vehicle.
• Phase 2: Crewed orbital flight of three astronauts for a period of 3-7 days.
• Phase 3: Advanced missions, including longer duration missions, rendezvous and docking, and spacewalks.
The Gaganyaan spacecraft will be a three-person spacecraft with a crew module and a service module. The crew module will be shaped like a truncated cone and will be used to house the crew during launch, landing, and the stay in orbit. The service module will be attached to the crew module and will contain the propulsion system, power system, and other essential subsystems.
The Gaganyaan spacecraft will be launched into orbit by the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, which is India's most powerful launch vehicle. The GSLV Mk III is a three-stage launch vehicle with a height of 43.43 m and a mass of 640 t. It is capable of launching payloads of up to 10 t into LEO.
The first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan spacecraft is scheduled for 2023, followed by a second uncrewed flight in 2024. The first crewed flight is scheduled for 2024 or 2025.
The Gaganyaan mission is a significant milestone for India's space program. It will demonstrate India's capability to undertake human spaceflight missions and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration program in the long run.
The Gaganyaan mission is expected to have a number of benefits, including:
• It will demonstrate India's capability to undertake human spaceflight missions, which will boost India's scientific and technological prestige.
• It will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration program, which will give India the opportunity to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• It will inspire the next generation of Indian scientists and engineers to pursue careers in space science and technology.
• It will generate economic benefits through the creation of new jobs and industries.
The Gaganyaan mission is a bold and ambitious undertaking, and it is a testament to India's growing space capabilities. It is a mission that all Indians can be proud of.