ISRO Successfully Launches Gaganyaan Mission's Test Vehicle

• 23 Oct 2023

On 21^st October, 2023, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the rocket carrying payloads crucial for crew safety in the Gaganyaan mission from Sriharikota.

• They achieved the milestone of Crew Module and Crew Escape separation.

Key Points

• Gaganyaan's First Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 Successful: ISRO Chief confirmed the successful completion of Gaganyaan's first Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1).
• Launch Hold and Corrected Issue: Earlier in the day, the launch was temporarily held just five seconds before liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. ISRO identified and rectified the issue causing the hold.
• Crew Escape System Demonstration: ISRO Chairman explained that the mission's purpose was to demonstrate the Crew Escape System.
• The system successfully took the crew module away from the vehicle and completed other operations, including a sea touch-down.
• Objective of the Mission: The mission aimed to evaluate the Crew Escape System's performance in various conditions and test vehicle sub-systems.
• It sought to ensure the CES's capability to ensure crew safety in case of an emergency requiring a mission abort.