Context: India’s first rocket part of its human space mission/Gaganyaan – Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV D1) lifted off successfully at 10 am on Saturday after delays.

About the Launch: Gaganyaan Mission Test Flight Finally Takes Off – TV D1

• TV D1 test vehicle blasted off from the first launch pad at the rocket port in Sriharikota. 
• Anomaly in Launch of TV-D1: Indian Space Research Organisation called off the development test flight of the Gaganyaan Mission just seconds before launch due to an anomaly.
  • The lift-off was originally scheduled at 8 a.m. but owing to weather conditions and poor visibility it was rescheduled for 8.45 am. 
  • But it finally lifted off only at 10 am after technical glitches were sorted. 

About TV D1: Simulating Critical Abort Conditions for Gaganyaan Mission

• It is a Liquid-propelled single-stage Test Vehicle (TV D1).
• Aim: This flight simulated the abort condition during the ascent trajectory corresponding to a Mach number of 1.2 encountered in the Gaganyaan mission.
• Component: The payloads consist of the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES) with their fast-acting solid motors, along with CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters. 
• Crew Escape System: Test flight was to assess the mid-flight crew escape system of an early version of the Gaganyaan crew module.
  • Crew Escape System will be tasked with jettisoning the Crew Module with the astronauts sitting inside to a safe distance, away from the rocket, if the computer detects a fatal problem. 
  • The Crew Module will then separate and splash down in the sea assisted by parachutes.

TV D1: Structure and Components of ISRO’s Test Vehicle 

• Engine: vehicle used a modified VIKAS engine with a Crew Module and Crew Escape System mounted at its front. 
• Dimensions: It stood at 34.9 meters tall and had a lift-off weight of 44 tonnes. 
• Thermal Protection: Its structure was a single-walled unpressurized aluminum structure with a simulated thermal protection system.
• Test Vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this abort mission. 
  • This flight simulated the abort condition during the ascent trajectory corresponding to a Mach number of 1.2 encountered in the Gaganyaan mission.

Key Mission Objectives of TV D1:

• Flight demonstration and evaluation of Test Vehicle sub systems.
• Flight demonstration and evaluation of Crew Escape System including various separation systems.
• Crew Module characteristics & deceleration systems demonstration at higher altitude & its recovery

Achieving Milestones: The Significance of TV D1 for India’s Gaganyaan Mission

• Success of Gaganyaan Mission: TV-D1 test flight was a crucial part of the Gaganyaan mission.
  • Gaganyaan Mission: To demonstrate India’s capability for human spaceflight by sending a crew of three individuals into a 400-kilometer orbit for a three-day mission and ensuring their safe return by landing in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
  • It represents India’s aspiration to join the elite league of nations capable of launching crewed spacecraft. 
• The success of this test flight was pivotal as it will pave the way for subsequent qualification tests and unmanned missions, leading to the realization of the first Gaganyaan program with Indian astronauts, expected in 2025.
• Milestone: It represents a significant milestone in India’s effort to demonstrate that it is possible to send humans into space.

Conclusion:

• The successful lift-off of India’s TV-D1 underscores the nation’s firm commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities, particularly in the domain of crewed missions. With a meticulous evaluation of key components and simulated critical scenarios, this achievement sets the stage for India’s imminent entry into the league of nations excelling in manned space expeditions.