Answer

The Gaganyaan mission, led by ISRO comprises three flights including two unmanned missions and one human spaceflight. The human spaceflight, involving three Indian astronauts, including a female astronaut, will orbit Earth at a low altitude of 300-400 km for a duration of 5-7 days.

In this regard, recently, ISRO initiated a crucial phase of testing, known as the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of the Crew Escape System for the Gaganyaan project. The primary purpose of this test is to assess the operational readiness of the systems responsible for disengaging the crew module from the rocket in the event of a mid-flight emergency (abort mission) and ensuring the safe escape of the astronauts.

• Scientific Advancement: Gaganyaan demonstrates India's capability to undertake complex space missions, showcasing advancements in space technology.
  • For ex: ISRO's successful Mars Orbiter Mission in 2013 demonstrated its prowess in interplanetary exploration.
• National Prestige: India will be the 4th country to launch a human space mission. Successfully sending humans into space elevates India's global standing and pride. It aligns with India's aspirations to become a major player in space exploration.
• Employment Opportunities: The program is anticipated to stimulate economic growth within the nation by fostering the development of a skilled workforce and strengthening industrial capacities.
  • For ex: The Gaganyaan mission is anticipated to yield around 15,000 new job openings.
• Technological Spin-offs: The technology developed for Gaganyaan can have applications beyond space, such as in healthcare, defense, and telecommunications.
  • Further, the mission will drive substantial research in various domains, including materials processing, Astro-biology, resource extraction etc.
• Global Competitiveness: Competing in the global space race, India is in a position to collaborate with other space agencies, sharing knowledge and resources. Successful space missions foster diplomatic relationships with countries interested in space collaboration
  • For ex: Chandrayaan-3 involved collaboration with different space agencies including the European, Australian and US counterparts of ISRO.

• Astronaut’s Health: Ensuring the well-being of astronauts during extended space travel is a significant challenge. When astronauts find themselves confined within tight quarters and dependent on scarce resources, it is probable that behavioral issues will arise.
  • For example, prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to muscle atrophy and bone loss.
• Life Support Systems: The development of life support systems, which provide astronauts with oxygen, water, and waste management, is crucial.
  • Failure in such systems can have dire consequences, as experienced in the Apollo 13 mission when a critical oxygen tank failed.
• Escape and Rescue: Developing effective escape and rescue mechanisms in case of emergencies is vital. Achieving a human spaceflight demands a launcher with a reliability of 98% or higher, which means only two failures in every 100 launches.
  • For ex: The Soyuz MS-10 mission in 2018 experienced a rocket failure, and the successful emergency abort system saved the crew.
• Technical Complexity: Developing and integrating the technology required for a successful human spaceflight is a multifaceted challenge, from launch vehicle design to the spacecraft's reentry and landing systems.
• Safety and Redundancy: Ensuring the safety of astronauts is paramount. Effective safety protocols and redundant systems are essential to minimize the risk.
  • For ex: The growing concern of space debris in low Earth orbits poses an escalating risk, where a collision with even small fragments could lead to the depressurization of the crew module, jeopardizing astronaut safety.

• Development of a robust Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to maintain a habitable environment and manage waste products.
• Ground and space testing under simulated zero gravity and deep vacuum conditions are crucial, along with the incorporation of launch escape system safety features.
• Extensive training for the crew and mission control team, focusing on man-machine interfaces and safety drills.
• Encouraging private sector involvement in supporting ISRO

Therefore, a successful Gaganyaan mission will propel India into the league of space superpowers and facilitate the development of its own space station. The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for 2024 or later, with a strong emphasis on safety rather than rushing the project. As India embarks on its journey to send astronauts into space through the Gaganyaan mission, it not only seeks to achieve a historic milestone but also sets its sights on a promising future in space exploration.