Gaganyaan-1 is a pivotal step in the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) ambitious human spaceflight program.

Gaganyaan-1 will be an uncrewed mission aimed at validating critical systems before sending Indian astronauts, or Vyomanauts, into space.

This mission will assess the crew module’s re-entry capabilities, the performance of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), and the parachute deployment system for safe landing.

The mission profile of Gaganyaan-1 involves several critical stages to ensure a safe and successful demonstration of India’s human spaceflight capabilities. The mission will begin with the launch of the GSLV Mk III-M1 (LVM3), ISRO’s most powerful launch vehicle, designed to carry the crew module into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of around 400 km.

Once in orbit, the Gaganyaan crew module will operate autonomously, with onboard systems continuously monitored from ground stations.

The mission is designed to last around seven days, during which the spacecraft will circle the Earth while testing various subsystems, including life support, navigation, and propulsion. The spacecraft will also demonstrate the performance of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which will maintain a habitable environment inside the crew module for future manned missions.

Upon mission completion, the crew module will begin its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. The module will experience significant thermal stress during this phase, and the thermal protection system (TPS) will be tested to ensure it can withstand the high temperatures of re-entry.

The module is planned to splash down in the Bay of Bengal, where it will be recovered by Indian Navy vessels. This recovery will also test ISRO’s capabilities in astronaut retrieval and post-mission safety procedures, all vital for future crewed flights.

In partnership with NASA, ISRO has also incorporated global best practices in space safety, with the United States providing technical support, particularly in astronaut training.

Following this uncrewed test flight, ISRO plans to launch Gaganyaan-2, which will be the first mission to carry Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, marking India’s entry into the exclusive club of nations capable of human spaceflight.

The Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3), is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Primarily designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit, it is also identified as the launch vehicle for crewed missions under the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme and dedicated science missions like Chandrayaan-2. The GSLV Mk III has a higher payload capacity than the similarly named GSLV Mk II.

After several delays and a sub-orbital test flight on 18 December 2014, ISRO successfully conducted the first orbital test launch of GSLV Mk III on 5 June 2017 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.

In June 2018, the Union Cabinet approved ₹43.38 billion (US$540 million) to build 10 GSLV Mk III rockets over a five-year period.

The GSLV Mk III launched CARE, India's space capsule recovery experiment module, Chandrayaan-2, India's second lunar mission, and will be used to carry Gaganyaan, the first crewed mission under Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. In October 2021, UK-based global communication satellite provider OneWeb entered into an agreement with ISRO to launch OneWeb satellites aboard the GSLV Mk III along with the PSLV.

Image: ISRO

The Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, India, is one of ISRO’s primary launch complexes. Operational since 2005, it was developed to support the growing number of satellite launches and to reduce dependence on the older First Launch Pad. The SLP is a versatile and modular facility, capable of launching all of ISRO's current rockets, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).

Located on the eastern coast of India, the site allows for launches over the Bay of Bengal, ideal for a range of orbital inclinations. The SLP features a Mobile Service Tower (MST) and a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT) for vehicle integration, fueling, and payload access, enhancing launch preparation efficiency and safety. It has been used for major missions like Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission, and several NavIC satellites.

Image courtesy of ISRO.