GAGANYAAN

Recently the Union Cabinet approved Rs 10,000 crore for India’s 1st Human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, to be launched by 2022. It will include two unmanned flights and one human space flight. India’s first human spaceflight will carry 3 astronauts to a low earth orbit of 300 to 400 kilometres on board GSLV Mark III vehicle, for at least 7 days. ISRO is also launching test flights with humanoids to conduct micro-gravity experiments. If successful, India would be the 4th country to send manned mission after Russia, USA, and China. 

COMPONENTS OF GAGANYAAN

1. Rocket

The rocket will take the crew to the low-earth orbit (300-400 km)

2. Crew Module

A crew module carrying three Indians will be attached with a service module. The crew members will be selected by the IAF and ISR. The crew will perform micro-gravity and other scientific experiments for a week.

3. Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry technology (CARE)

4. Crew Escape System (PAT)

It is an emergency accident avoidance measure designed to quickly get astronauts and their spacecraft away from the launch vehicle if a malfunction occurs during the initial stage of the launch. 

5. Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) 

It will maintain steady cabin pressure and air composition, remove carbon dioxide and other harmful gases and control temperature and humidity o manage parameters like fire detection and suppression.