Gaganyaan Mission : ISRO to send Indian into space by 2022
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
By 2022 i hope to god we have done only the unmanned test of the capsule in fligt. It would be dangerous to speed this project up to insane levels. It's ok if we play safe.
Expression of Interest for end-to-end realization of Aluminium alloy Crew Module inner structure :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/expression_of_interest_0.pdf
The link has a rather simplistic but a very clear uncluttered diagram of the capsule :
If anybody is interested in more detailed engineering diagrams of the module this is for you :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/48_dr.pdf
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/expression_of_interest_0.pdf
The link has a rather simplistic but a very clear uncluttered diagram of the capsule :
If anybody is interested in more detailed engineering diagrams of the module this is for you :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/48_dr.pdf
Training for Gaganyaan crew begins in Russia, says VSSC Director
Our Bureau, Kochi | Updated on October 11, 2019
India’s first ‘Gaganyaan’ human space flight mission is slated to take off in 2022 and the training for its crew, drawn from among experienced Indian Air Force pilots, has already commenced in Russia, according to S Somnath, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Inaugurating the citizen familiarisation programme, participated by invited senior citizens as part of the World Space Week -2019 at the VSSC campus, he said the short duration mission to be undertaken at the low earth orbit (LEO) within 300-400 km from Earth, would also comprise an effective crew escape system, akin to ejection by pilots from fighter jets in the event of any possible rocket explosion. This is to prevent loss of human life and land them in sea for their safe recovery. Multiple trials in each stage of the mission are in different stages of progress. The prestigious mission had been taken up in accordance with the Prime Minister’s 2018 independence day speech.
The director elicited opinions of the senior citizens on the growing budgetary requirements of India’s space research programmes, adding that they had the right to know how and for what purposes tax payers’ money was being utilised by ISRO.
Somanath said India’s space research programmes had substantially contributed to the country’s overall economic development, covering a large spectrum of areas touching on defence requirements, agricultural production, accurate weather forecast, and industrial developments, and new are continuously being added.
Notable among the achievements of ISRO programmes was its high productivity in space applications in the recent past, enabling it to undertake increased satellite launch programmes year-on-year, while retaining its staff strength at the same level from what it was in 1985.
About 400 senior citizens attended the day-long programmes, based on online registration, and the activities included lectures by eminent scientists, video presentations, panel discussions and a visit to the ISRO museum.
Training for Gaganyaan crew begins in Russia, says VSSC Director
Our Bureau, Kochi | Updated on October 11, 2019
India’s first ‘Gaganyaan’ human space flight mission is slated to take off in 2022 and the training for its crew, drawn from among experienced Indian Air Force pilots, has already commenced in Russia, according to S Somnath, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Inaugurating the citizen familiarisation programme, participated by invited senior citizens as part of the World Space Week -2019 at the VSSC campus, he said the short duration mission to be undertaken at the low earth orbit (LEO) within 300-400 km from Earth, would also comprise an effective crew escape system, akin to ejection by pilots from fighter jets in the event of any possible rocket explosion. This is to prevent loss of human life and land them in sea for their safe recovery. Multiple trials in each stage of the mission are in different stages of progress. The prestigious mission had been taken up in accordance with the Prime Minister’s 2018 independence day speech.
The director elicited opinions of the senior citizens on the growing budgetary requirements of India’s space research programmes, adding that they had the right to know how and for what purposes tax payers’ money was being utilised by ISRO.
Somanath said India’s space research programmes had substantially contributed to the country’s overall economic development, covering a large spectrum of areas touching on defence requirements, agricultural production, accurate weather forecast, and industrial developments, and new are continuously being added.
Notable among the achievements of ISRO programmes was its high productivity in space applications in the recent past, enabling it to undertake increased satellite launch programmes year-on-year, while retaining its staff strength at the same level from what it was in 1985.
About 400 senior citizens attended the day-long programmes, based on online registration, and the activities included lectures by eminent scientists, video presentations, panel discussions and a visit to the ISRO museum.
Training for Gaganyaan crew begins in Russia, says VSSC Director
Glavkosmos to Help India with Heating and Life Support Systems for Gaganyaan Spacecraft
October 25, 2019
MOSCOW, October 25 - Glavkosmos JSC, part of Roscosmos State Space Corporation, and Human Space Flight Centre of Indian Space Research Organization (HSFC of ISRO) on Friday signed a contract to review a project to assess the possibility of using Russian flight equipment in life support systems and providing thermal regime for the manned spacecraft Gaganyaan.
Dmitry Loskutov, Director General of Glavkosmos, and Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Head of the HSFC, signed the contract. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Director General for international cooperation of Roscosmos State Space Corporation Sergey Savelyev.
"We hope that the signing of this document and the implementation of its provisions will serve both the development of the Indian space program and manned space flights, and in general the further strengthening of good Russian-Indian relations," Loskutov said. "We will be glad to expand our cooperation."
In turn, Unnikrishnan Nair expressed gratitude to the Russian side for the fruitful talks and noted that India and Russia continue to be reliable partners, including the issues of cooperation in space.
The contract will be implemented with the participation of Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
On June 27, 2019, Glavkosmos and Human Space Flight Centre of Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on consulting support for the selection of candidates for Indian astronauts, their medical examination for admission to special training on the program of preparation for space flight, as well as the preparation of Indian astronauts selected by the results of medical examination for space flight (read more).
***
Human Space Flight Centre is part of Indian Space Research Organization. HSFC is responsible for implementation of Gaganyaan Project, which involves end-to-end mission planning, development of engineering systems for crew survival in space, crew selection and training. HSFC is also pursuing activities for sustained human space flight missions.
Glavkosmos is a subsidiary of Roscosmos State Space Corporation. The main task of the company is to promote the achievements of the Russian rocket and space industry to world markets and manage complex international projects. For more than thirty years, the company has successfully implemented more than 120 international contracts, including the launch of more than 140 spacecraft as a payload.
News. Glavkosmos to Help India with Heating and Life Support Systems for Gaganyaan Spacecraft
In other news : More PAD abort tests probably on the ADMIRE incoming.
A lot of good details :
Isro all set to test Gaganyaan’s crew abort system | India News - Times of India
Conference video :
https://www.c-span.org/video/?465534-1/international-space-cooperation
Relevant portion at 45 : 20
October 25, 2019
MOSCOW, October 25 - Glavkosmos JSC, part of Roscosmos State Space Corporation, and Human Space Flight Centre of Indian Space Research Organization (HSFC of ISRO) on Friday signed a contract to review a project to assess the possibility of using Russian flight equipment in life support systems and providing thermal regime for the manned spacecraft Gaganyaan.
Dmitry Loskutov, Director General of Glavkosmos, and Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Head of the HSFC, signed the contract. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Director General for international cooperation of Roscosmos State Space Corporation Sergey Savelyev.
"We hope that the signing of this document and the implementation of its provisions will serve both the development of the Indian space program and manned space flights, and in general the further strengthening of good Russian-Indian relations," Loskutov said. "We will be glad to expand our cooperation."
In turn, Unnikrishnan Nair expressed gratitude to the Russian side for the fruitful talks and noted that India and Russia continue to be reliable partners, including the issues of cooperation in space.
The contract will be implemented with the participation of Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
On June 27, 2019, Glavkosmos and Human Space Flight Centre of Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on consulting support for the selection of candidates for Indian astronauts, their medical examination for admission to special training on the program of preparation for space flight, as well as the preparation of Indian astronauts selected by the results of medical examination for space flight (read more).
***
Human Space Flight Centre is part of Indian Space Research Organization. HSFC is responsible for implementation of Gaganyaan Project, which involves end-to-end mission planning, development of engineering systems for crew survival in space, crew selection and training. HSFC is also pursuing activities for sustained human space flight missions.
Glavkosmos is a subsidiary of Roscosmos State Space Corporation. The main task of the company is to promote the achievements of the Russian rocket and space industry to world markets and manage complex international projects. For more than thirty years, the company has successfully implemented more than 120 international contracts, including the launch of more than 140 spacecraft as a payload.
News. Glavkosmos to Help India with Heating and Life Support Systems for Gaganyaan Spacecraft
In other news : More PAD abort tests probably on the ADMIRE incoming.
A lot of good details :
Isro all set to test Gaganyaan’s crew abort system | India News - Times of India
Conference video :
https://www.c-span.org/video/?465534-1/international-space-cooperation
Relevant portion at 45 : 20
Last edited:
Isro all set to test Gaganyaan’s crew abort system
Isro all set to test Gaganyaan’s crew abort system | India News - Times of India
Isro all set to test Gaganyaan’s crew abort system | India News - Times of India
Tenders related to augmentation of Second launch Pad for Gaganyaan project.
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/pt_ro_11_12508.pdf
https://www.isro.gov.in/sdsc-shar-srhps-gt-ro-11-2019-2020
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/pt_ro_11_12508.pdf
https://www.isro.gov.in/sdsc-shar-srhps-gt-ro-11-2019-2020
Stage 1 of selection of pilots for the Gaganyaan mission is complete :
'Astronaut selection done well within time' | India News - Times of India
'Astronaut selection done well within time' | India News - Times of India
Indian astronauts to start training at Russia’s Gagarin Center in 2020
18 Nov, 18:09
The exact dates will be determined when the Indian side selects those eligible to be dispatched to Russia
© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
DUBAI /UAE/, November 18. /TASS/ : Indian astronauts will start their training sessions at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 2020, Head of Glavkosmos (part of the Roscosmos space agency) Dmitry Loskutov told TASS at the Dubai Airshow 2019 on Monday.
"The education and training of gaganauts [one of the versions for the name of Indian astronauts] at the Cosmonaut Training Center are planned to start as soon as next year but this largely depends on the results of the selection by health parameters and the timeframe for the Indian side to decide whom they finally select and send to Russia for training," the Glavkosmos chief said.
India intends to develop its own manned program, he added. "In this regard, the flight by an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station is not planned so far," the chief executive stated.
On July 1, Roscosmos announced that Glavkosmos and the Human Space Flight Center of the Indian Space Research Organization had signed a contract on assistance in the medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts.
Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin announced on August 22 that Russian specialists from the Cosmonaut Training Center would select the first group of astronauts in India this autumn.
Indian astronauts to start training at Russia’s Gagarin Center in 2020
Seven potential Indian astronauts undergo check-up in Russia
19 Nov, 00:05
On July 1, Roscosmos informed that Glavcosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on Russia aiding the selection, medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts
DUBAI, November 18. /TASS/ : Seven candidates to become gaganauts (a proposed name for Indian astronauts) have undergone a medical check-up in Russia, with five more to go, head of the Glavcosmos company (forming part of the Roscosmos state corporation) Dmitry Loskutov told TASS on Monday during the 2019 Dubai Airshow.
"The selection of candidates to become Indian gaganauts is ongoing. Currently, seven candidates have undergone a medical check-up in Russia. Five more candidates are set to undergo the check-up," Loskutov said.
On July 1, Roscosmos informed that Glavcosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on Russia aiding the selection, medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts. On August 22, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin informed that Russian experts from the Cosmonaut Training Center would hold the selection for the first batch of Indian astronauts.
Seven potential Indian astronauts undergo check-up in Russia
18 Nov, 18:09
The exact dates will be determined when the Indian side selects those eligible to be dispatched to Russia
© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
DUBAI /UAE/, November 18. /TASS/ : Indian astronauts will start their training sessions at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 2020, Head of Glavkosmos (part of the Roscosmos space agency) Dmitry Loskutov told TASS at the Dubai Airshow 2019 on Monday.
"The education and training of gaganauts [one of the versions for the name of Indian astronauts] at the Cosmonaut Training Center are planned to start as soon as next year but this largely depends on the results of the selection by health parameters and the timeframe for the Indian side to decide whom they finally select and send to Russia for training," the Glavkosmos chief said.
India intends to develop its own manned program, he added. "In this regard, the flight by an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station is not planned so far," the chief executive stated.
On July 1, Roscosmos announced that Glavkosmos and the Human Space Flight Center of the Indian Space Research Organization had signed a contract on assistance in the medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts.
Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin announced on August 22 that Russian specialists from the Cosmonaut Training Center would select the first group of astronauts in India this autumn.
Indian astronauts to start training at Russia’s Gagarin Center in 2020
Seven potential Indian astronauts undergo check-up in Russia
19 Nov, 00:05
On July 1, Roscosmos informed that Glavcosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on Russia aiding the selection, medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts
DUBAI, November 18. /TASS/ : Seven candidates to become gaganauts (a proposed name for Indian astronauts) have undergone a medical check-up in Russia, with five more to go, head of the Glavcosmos company (forming part of the Roscosmos state corporation) Dmitry Loskutov told TASS on Monday during the 2019 Dubai Airshow.
"The selection of candidates to become Indian gaganauts is ongoing. Currently, seven candidates have undergone a medical check-up in Russia. Five more candidates are set to undergo the check-up," Loskutov said.
On July 1, Roscosmos informed that Glavcosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization signed a contract on Russia aiding the selection, medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts. On August 22, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin informed that Russian experts from the Cosmonaut Training Center would hold the selection for the first batch of Indian astronauts.
Seven potential Indian astronauts undergo check-up in Russia
EoI out for the realization and testing of eight sets of Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) Flight Suits.
Tentative design :
The original document :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/eoi-flight_suit.pdf
Tentative design :
The original document :
https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/tenders/eoi-flight_suit.pdf
‘Test vehicle’ for crew escape to be ready soon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, December 21, 2019 00:34 IST
Photo: ISRO's PAD Abort Test on 5 July 2018.
A low-cost ‘test vehicle’ that will be used to test the crew escape system for Gaganyaan, ISRO's manned mission to space, is expected to be ready soon, S. Somanath, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), said on Friday.
“We have to demonstrate the crew escape system in a low-cost mission scenario. We are designing a test vehicle on which the crew escape system can be incorporated and tested in a variety of conditions to show that we can recover the crew safely,” Mr. Somanath said, addressing a national conference on aerospace quality and reliability. Though by definition a ‘test vehicle,’ in effect it would a complete launch vehicle in itself and would undergo the required qualification process, Mr. Somanath said. “We have almost completed the design and all items are under fabrication. The challenge is to design and get it ready in six months,” he said.
ISRO plans the Gaganyaan mission in December 2021. The crew escape system is an emergency escape measure in the Gaganyaan mission designed to release the crew module along with the astronauts to a safe distance from the GSLV-Mk III launch vehicle in the event of a launch abort.
‘Test vehicle’ for crew escape to be ready soon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, December 21, 2019 00:34 IST
Photo: ISRO's PAD Abort Test on 5 July 2018.
A low-cost ‘test vehicle’ that will be used to test the crew escape system for Gaganyaan, ISRO's manned mission to space, is expected to be ready soon, S. Somanath, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), said on Friday.
“We have to demonstrate the crew escape system in a low-cost mission scenario. We are designing a test vehicle on which the crew escape system can be incorporated and tested in a variety of conditions to show that we can recover the crew safely,” Mr. Somanath said, addressing a national conference on aerospace quality and reliability. Though by definition a ‘test vehicle,’ in effect it would a complete launch vehicle in itself and would undergo the required qualification process, Mr. Somanath said. “We have almost completed the design and all items are under fabrication. The challenge is to design and get it ready in six months,” he said.
ISRO plans the Gaganyaan mission in December 2021. The crew escape system is an emergency escape measure in the Gaganyaan mission designed to release the crew module along with the astronauts to a safe distance from the GSLV-Mk III launch vehicle in the event of a launch abort.
‘Test vehicle’ for crew escape to be ready soon
Design and Selection Criteria of Main Parachute for Re-entry Space Payload
View of Design and Selection Criteria of Main Parachute for Re entry Space Payload
View of Design and Selection Criteria of Main Parachute for Re entry Space Payload
RSP supplies special steel for 'Gaganyaan' project of ISRO
BHUBANESWAR: Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has supplied 30.5 tonne of maraging steel to be used in the upcoming Gaganyaan project, the first indigenous manned mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to space, a company statement said.
Gautam Banerjee, ED (Works) of RSP, a unit of SAIL flagged off the plates in a function organised at Plate Mill department on Saturday. The plates rolled from 14 slabs were the first lot of the total order quantity, the RSP statement said.
Maraging steel is a special quality steel containing nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, titanium and aluminium and is manufactured through vacuum melting process. Rolling of maraging steel requires very stringent process parameters, it said.
Generally any steel with higher strength will have low ductility and vice versa. But the significance of maraging steel is that it has got very high strength (to the tune of 5 -6 times of mild steel) along with good ductility.
Maraging steel is being used for the launch vehicle rocket motor casing and for other different defence applications. These maraging steel plates rolled in RSP were also used in the recently launched Chandrayan-II, it said.
Stating that the Plate Mill of RSP has been regularly rolling wide plates of maraging steel under a long term contract with Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midhani), Hyderabad, the statement said these steels are used in PSLV and GSLV programmes of ISRO.
The mill has so far rolled 2200 tonne of maraging steel and supplied to Midhani for the above purpose.
Stringent process parameters were followed and representatives from Midhani, Hyderabad and scientists from ISRO were present during the rolling of the first phase plates at plate mill, the statement added.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ayan-project-of-isro/articleshow/73016041.cms
BHUBANESWAR: Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has supplied 30.5 tonne of maraging steel to be used in the upcoming Gaganyaan project, the first indigenous manned mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to space, a company statement said.
Gautam Banerjee, ED (Works) of RSP, a unit of SAIL flagged off the plates in a function organised at Plate Mill department on Saturday. The plates rolled from 14 slabs were the first lot of the total order quantity, the RSP statement said.
Maraging steel is a special quality steel containing nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, titanium and aluminium and is manufactured through vacuum melting process. Rolling of maraging steel requires very stringent process parameters, it said.
Generally any steel with higher strength will have low ductility and vice versa. But the significance of maraging steel is that it has got very high strength (to the tune of 5 -6 times of mild steel) along with good ductility.
Maraging steel is being used for the launch vehicle rocket motor casing and for other different defence applications. These maraging steel plates rolled in RSP were also used in the recently launched Chandrayan-II, it said.
Stating that the Plate Mill of RSP has been regularly rolling wide plates of maraging steel under a long term contract with Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midhani), Hyderabad, the statement said these steels are used in PSLV and GSLV programmes of ISRO.
The mill has so far rolled 2200 tonne of maraging steel and supplied to Midhani for the above purpose.
Stringent process parameters were followed and representatives from Midhani, Hyderabad and scientists from ISRO were present during the rolling of the first phase plates at plate mill, the statement added.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ayan-project-of-isro/articleshow/73016041.cms
ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre and residential township for it are being setup in Challakere, Chitradurga, Karnataka.
It is near Ullarthi Kaval village, same location where we saw a simulated lunar crater field setup for Chandrayaan-2 sensor tests.
Here is a environmental clearance document for it showing project site map and residential township layout. This area has very high profile campuses/facilities for likes of DRDO, BARC as well :
http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FormB/TOR/PFR/05_Sep_2019_094559967JI7L767RPFR.pdf
Human Space Flight Centre along with residential township, ISRO, Department of Space.
Images of layout and location specifics :
It is near Ullarthi Kaval village, same location where we saw a simulated lunar crater field setup for Chandrayaan-2 sensor tests.
Here is a environmental clearance document for it showing project site map and residential township layout. This area has very high profile campuses/facilities for likes of DRDO, BARC as well :
http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FormB/TOR/PFR/05_Sep_2019_094559967JI7L767RPFR.pdf
Human Space Flight Centre along with residential township, ISRO, Department of Space.
- Project site:
- Total Area:473 acre (191.49 ha)
- Built-up area: 1,43,000 m2
- Township:
- Total Area: 100 acre (40.48 ha)
- Built-up area: 1,06,200 m
Images of layout and location specifics :
Four Men from Indian Air Force Selected to Undergo Training in Russia for Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO Chief
Updated on: January 1, 2020, 12:51 PM IST
Bengaluru: Four men from the Indian Air Force have been selected to undergo training for India’s first human spaceflight mission, ISRO chief K Sivan said on Wednesday as he declared 2020 as the year of Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-3.
Addressing a press conference at the ISRO headquarters here, Sivan said the four astronauts will undergo training in Russia from the third week of January, but did not reveal their names.
“Many systems will be tested before the flight, including human rating of the propulsion modules and the crew escape system,” Sivan said.
Four Men from Indian Air Force Selected to Undergo Training in Russia for Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO Chief
Updated on: January 1, 2020, 12:51 PM IST
Bengaluru: Four men from the Indian Air Force have been selected to undergo training for India’s first human spaceflight mission, ISRO chief K Sivan said on Wednesday as he declared 2020 as the year of Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-3.
Addressing a press conference at the ISRO headquarters here, Sivan said the four astronauts will undergo training in Russia from the third week of January, but did not reveal their names.
“Many systems will be tested before the flight, including human rating of the propulsion modules and the crew escape system,” Sivan said.
Four Men from Indian Air Force Selected to Undergo Training in Russia for Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO Chief
Defence lab developing bio vest for astronauts
The DEBEL team has also designed an emergency survival system which includes 10 protective items when the astronauts’ capsule lands in the sea while returning to earth on completion of the mission.
Published: 05th January 2020 06:46 AM
By Pearl Maria D’Souza
BENGALURU: Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory, is in the process of developing a fit-to-body medical parameters tracking vest which will be worn by the Gaganauts, the four astronauts chosen for India’s first manned space mission scheduled for late 2021. These live body tracking suits, known as ‘bio vests’, will be wearable health monitoring systems with physiological sensors which keep a check on the wearers’ vital parameters, including heart rate and skin temperature.
The suit transfers signals pertaining to the health parameters of the astronauts from the spacecraft to the mission control room, said Vinoth P, scientist and member of DEBEL team at the 107th Indian Science Congress under way in Bengaluru.The signals will be analysed by doctors from Bengaluru-based Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM). With the inputs from the vest, one can decide how to deal with the changing physiology of the astronaut or decide if the mission has to be aborted in case the parameters go well beyond the threshold during the mission.
The DEBEL team has also designed an emergency survival system which includes 10 protective items when the astronauts’ capsule lands in the sea while returning to earth on completion of the mission.The system is also designed to ensure the survival of the astronauts in case of an unplanned rescue -- which means, if the mission is aborted due to unforeseen circumstances -- either because of system failures or the deteriorating health of any of the astronauts. The emergency kit will help the astronaut survive for at least 72 hours in an unplanned rescue, Vinoth said.
DEBEL has been developing the bio vest for six months now and will send it for the live tests during the first trial on an unmanned Gaganyaan mission slated for December 2020 or early 2021 ahead of the manned mission.The four Gaganauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia in the third week of January.
Defence lab developing bio vest for astronauts
The DEBEL team has also designed an emergency survival system which includes 10 protective items when the astronauts’ capsule lands in the sea while returning to earth on completion of the mission.
Published: 05th January 2020 06:46 AM
By Pearl Maria D’Souza
BENGALURU: Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory, is in the process of developing a fit-to-body medical parameters tracking vest which will be worn by the Gaganauts, the four astronauts chosen for India’s first manned space mission scheduled for late 2021. These live body tracking suits, known as ‘bio vests’, will be wearable health monitoring systems with physiological sensors which keep a check on the wearers’ vital parameters, including heart rate and skin temperature.
The suit transfers signals pertaining to the health parameters of the astronauts from the spacecraft to the mission control room, said Vinoth P, scientist and member of DEBEL team at the 107th Indian Science Congress under way in Bengaluru.The signals will be analysed by doctors from Bengaluru-based Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM). With the inputs from the vest, one can decide how to deal with the changing physiology of the astronaut or decide if the mission has to be aborted in case the parameters go well beyond the threshold during the mission.
The DEBEL team has also designed an emergency survival system which includes 10 protective items when the astronauts’ capsule lands in the sea while returning to earth on completion of the mission.The system is also designed to ensure the survival of the astronauts in case of an unplanned rescue -- which means, if the mission is aborted due to unforeseen circumstances -- either because of system failures or the deteriorating health of any of the astronauts. The emergency kit will help the astronaut survive for at least 72 hours in an unplanned rescue, Vinoth said.
DEBEL has been developing the bio vest for six months now and will send it for the live tests during the first trial on an unmanned Gaganyaan mission slated for December 2020 or early 2021 ahead of the manned mission.The four Gaganauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia in the third week of January.
Defence lab developing bio vest for astronauts
Challakere to be ISRO’s astronaut training hub
By Madhumathi D.S.
BENGALURU, January 06, 2020 01:56 IST
Plan ready for Space Flight Centre to come up at site in Karnataka’s Chitradurga
India’s world-class facility for training astronauts will come up not in the space headquarters in Bengaluru, nor in any glitzy metropolis. It will be established in three years at Challakere, a shrubby, arid oilseeds town on the Bengaluru-Pune NH4 in Chitradurga district of Karnataka.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed a ₹ 2,700-crore master plan to create top infrastructure that will house its young Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC).
K. Sivan, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, told The Hindu, “Everything connected with events and planning of the HSP [Human Spaceflight Programme] will shift to our campus at Challakere. We want to establish a self-contained facility there so that in future, whatever training and activities we are now doing in Russia for the Gaganyaan crew can all be done by us here.” When ready, the 400-acre ISRO land at Challakere will be the single-stop consolidating infrastructure and activities related to space travellers.
Hefty sum
The country pays a hefty, unnamed sum to use such facilities abroad. The first set of four astronaut candidates for the first Gaganyaan mission of 2022 are to train in Russia.
The amount sought for the HSFC is over and above the ₹10,000-crore approved budget of Gaganyaan. Pending its approval, the centre may take 2-3 years at the earliest to be set up, but would come up after the first Indian crewed flight.
Scattered across centres
Currently, HSP work is split across various centres such as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. The Institute of Aerospace Medicine of the Air Force has been roped in for their selection, basic and final training in Bengaluru.
Apart from all this work, Challakere will also host work related to crew and service modules of the spacecraft that carries the astronauts and up to mission control.
Many more missions
Such full-fledged facilities, Dr. Sivan said, were needed within the country as the HSP would not be a one-time affair with one Gaganyaan project. “We are going to have a sustained HSP and will need a large number of facilities for training [future] astronauts.”
The ISRO has sought the amount outside the ₹10,000-crore budget of Gaganyaan and awaits the government’s approval of its proposal.
The HSFC was formally announced in January 2019 and works from a temporary place at the ISRO headquarters, Antariksh Bhavan.
S. Unnikrishnan Nair has been named its Founder-Director and R. Hutton the project director of Gaganyaan. Beyond that, the centre is tasked with pursuing future human space missions, complete mission planning, developing engineering systems for survival and safe return of the crew from space, as also selecting and training the astronauts.
Quarantine unit
Human-focussed infrastructure apart, the ISRO also planned to add a quarantine facility at the second launch pad (SLP) in the Sriharikota space port. Dr Sivan said it would ensure that astronauts who were about to enter the spacecraft before the launch stay unexposed.
Among many human-rated projects, the SLP and the launch vehicle GSLV-MkIII will also be modified suitably for crew safety and comfort.
The Science City
Challakere, about 400 km and over three hours by road from Bengaluru, is also where premier scientific establishments have set up adjoining and interactive campuses on some 10,000 acres. Called the Science City, it houses facilities of the ISRO, the Defence Research & Development Organisation’s Advanced Aeronautical Test Range, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Indian Institute of Science.
Four candidates
Four male pilots of the Indian Air Force in their 30s and early 40s are scheduled to leave for Moscow in the third week of January to train at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre for 15 months as candidates for Gaganyaan.
They were selected through basic fitness and health tests at the IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru. In Moscow, they will learn the skills of life and survival in a narrow capsule, before, during and after travelling away from earth’s gravity while managing the travel around earth.
Challakere to be ISRO’s astronaut training hub