ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission test flight experiences liftoff anomaly, vehicle remains safe; new launch date to be announced.
Over the weekend, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) attempted a crucial test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission. Scheduled to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota, the uncrewed flight was equipped with a single-stage liquid propulsion rocket, complete with a Crew Module and Crew Escape System.
However, there were a few unexpected twists to the story. Originally set for an 8 a.m. liftoff on Saturday, the launch was rescheduled multiple times due to weather conditions. Finally, the attempt was made at 10 a.m.
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Liftoff Anomaly Delays Launch
Regrettably, just five seconds away from liftoff, an anomaly occurred, preventing the engine ignition from proceeding as planned. ISRO’s Chief, Somanath, assured everyone that the launch vehicle remained safe, even though the liftoff couldn’t take place as intended.
This test flight, named the Test Vehicle Development Flight Mission-1 (TV-D1 Flight Test), was designed to demonstrate the performance and safety of the crew module and escape system. It would have also tested a safe landing in the Bay of Bengal after the rocket’s launch.
India’s Manned Spaceflight Aspiration
The ultimate goal of the Gaganyaan mission is to send humans into space for a three-day mission, aiming for a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 km. If successful, India will become the fourth nation to launch a manned spaceflight mission, following in the footsteps of the US, Russia, and China.
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ISRO now aims to assess the issue and announce a revised launch date soon. In preparation for the launch, the crew module had undergone extensive testing at ISRO centres before integration into the launch complex in Sriharikota.
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