Explain Gaganyaan mission in 500 words
The Gaganyaan mission is India's ambitious project to send humans into space. It is the country's first manned mission to space and is a significant milestone in India's space exploration program. The mission aims to demonstrate India's technological capabilities in human spaceflight and pave the way for future missions.
The Gaganyaan mission was announced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2018 and is scheduled to be launched in December The mission has a budget of around $1.43 billion and is expected to have a duration of around seven days.
The primary objective of the Gaganyaan mission is to carry a crew of two to three astronauts into space and orbit the Earth for a few days. The spacecraft for the mission will be called Gaganyaan, which means "Sky Vehicle" in Sanskrit. The spacecraft will be launched using ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III, which is India's most powerful rocket.
The Gaganyaan spacecraft will have a mass of around 7,800 kilograms and will be equipped with life support systems, communication systems, and other necessary equipment to support the crew during the mission. The spacecraft will also have an orbital module, a service module, and a crew module. The crew module will be equipped with a heat shield to protect the astronauts during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
The selection and training of astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission is a crucial part of the project. ISRO has established the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) to oversee the selection and training process. The selection of astronauts will be based on their physical and mental fitness, as well as their ability to handle and operate complex systems in space.
The training of astronauts will include various aspects of space travel, such as microgravity operations, life support systems, emergency procedures, and spacewalks. The astronauts will also undergo physical fitness training to prepare their bodies for the physical demands of space travel.
The Gaganyaan mission will also have several scientific objectives. The astronauts will conduct experiments in microgravity conditions to study the effects of space travel on the human body and gain insights into various scientific phenomena. The mission will also focus on technology demonstration, such as testing new materials and technologies for future space missions.
The success of the Gaganyaan mission will not only demonstrate India's technological capabilities but also open up new opportunities for international collaborations in space exploration. ISRO has already signed agreements with various international space agencies, including NASA, for cooperation in areas such as astronaut training and exchange of scientific data.
The Gaganyaan mission is a significant step forward for India in its space exploration program. It showcases the country's determination to become a major player in space exploration and demonstrates its technological prowess. The mission will inspire future generations of scientists and engineers in India and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology in the field of space exploration.