Date: 18/03/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Awareness in the fields of Space

Key Phrases: Gaganyaan Mission, space exploration missions, Indian human spaceflight program, Boost to Industries, Advancing India's space program, Boosting national pride, enhanced industrial capabilities.

Why in News?

• The first of the four abort missions for India's maiden human spaceflight Gaganyaan is planned for May this year, the Lok Sabha has been informed.

Planned Missions and Timeline:

• According to the Minister of State for Science and Technology, the first test vehicle mission, TV-D1, is scheduled for May 2023, followed by the second test vehicle TV-D2 mission, and the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (LVM3-G1) in the first quarter of 2024.
• The second series of test vehicle missions (TV-D3& D4) and LVM3-G2 mission with robotic payload are planned next.
• The crewed mission is scheduled by the end of 2024 based on the successful completion of the test vehicle and uncrewed missions.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

• The Gaganyaan Mission is an Indian human spaceflight program aimed at showcasing the country's ability to carry out crewed space missions.
• The project involves launching a three-member crew to an orbit of 400 km for a mission lasting three days, before safely bringing them back to Earth and landing in Indian sea waters.
• GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) the three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.

Significance of the mission:

• India's first manned space mission:
  • The Gaganyaan mission marks India's first-ever manned space mission, which puts India in the elite club of countries that have accomplished this feat including the United States, China, and Russia.
  • The mission is a significant milestone in India's space exploration history and a testament to India's capabilities in the field.
• Advancing India's space program:
  • The Gaganyaan mission is a crucial step in India's efforts to advance its space program.
  • India has already made significant strides in space research, and the mission will help India expand its capabilities further.
  • The mission will also pave the way for future space exploration missions, such as missions to the Moon and Mars.
• Boosting national pride and morale:
  • The Gaganyaan mission is a source of national pride for India, as it is an achievement that highlights India's progress and technological capabilities.
  • The mission has also generated a lot of excitement and enthusiasm among the Indian public, which has boosted morale and inspired a new generation of young Indians to pursue careers in science and technology.
• International collaborations:
  • The Gaganyaan mission has also opened up opportunities for international collaborations in space exploration.
  • India has collaborated with other countries in the past, and the Gaganyaan mission could lead to more partnerships and joint missions in the future.
  • The mission has already generated interest from other countries, and India's space program is expected to become an important player in the global space industry.
• Boost to Industries:
  • The mission provides opportunities for the Indian industry to participate in space missions, with 60% of the equipment expected to come from the Indian private sector, boosting the country's industrial capabilities.
• Employment:
  • The mission is expected to create 15,000 new job opportunities, with an additional need for 900 manpower for the space organization, leading to enhanced industrial capabilities.
• Technological Development:
  • The mission accelerates India's technological development in various areas, such as materials processing, astrobiology, resource mining, and planetary chemistry, as human space flight is a frontier field in science and technology.
• Boost Academic Organizations:
  • The participation of academia, national agencies, and other scientific organizations in the program will establish a framework for collaboration, leading to significant advances in research.

Conclusion:

• The Gaganyaan program is a significant milestone in India's space exploration history and is expected to boost the country's technological capabilities, and national pride, and inspire young Indians to pursue careers in science and technology.
• The first abort mission, scheduled for May 2023, is a critical step in ensuring the safety of the astronauts and the success of the mission.
• The successful completion of the test vehicle and uncrewed missions will pave the way for the eventual crewed mission, which is planned for the end of 2024.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. What is the Gaganyaan program, and what are the potential implications of the Gaganyaan program for India's future in space exploration and scientific research?