# India's Ambitious Leap into Human Spaceflight: Gaganyaan Program
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Gaganyaan
India has taken significant strides in its quest to send humans into space, culminating in the announcement of its first Gaganyaan astronauts. On February 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the identities of the four selected individuals who will represent India in its inaugural human spaceflight missions, set to occur in the middle of the decade. The chosen astronauts are all experienced test pilots and Group Captains: Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla. They have undergone extensive training both domestically and internationally, with one astronaut slated for advanced training in NASA facilities later this year.
This milestone offers a perfect moment to reflect on India's journey in human spaceflight, particularly as we consider the absence of female astronauts in this initial batch. ISRO has stated that the selection criteria emphasized test pilot experience, a field where female representation was lacking at the time. While this may be accurate, it is noteworthy that India boasts the highest global percentage of female airline pilots, and the number of female fighter pilots is on the rise. Susmita Mohanty argues compellingly in The Print that these selection criteria seem arbitrary when compared to the global landscape of initial female astronaut selections. She states, "We have missed a great opportunity as a nation. We could have created history."
Aside: For context, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to orbit Earth in 1984, spending seven days aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 space station. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space, flew in 1997 on the Space Shuttle Columbia, tragically perishing in 2003 during reentry. Sunita Williams, though born in the U.S., is of Indian descent and is scheduled to return to the International Space Station this year aboard Boeing's Starliner.
With Gaganyaan, India aims to achieve its human spaceflight objectives using indigenous rockets and capsules. The first crewed flight will take two of the four astronauts to a low Earth orbit of 400 kilometers, where they will spend three days inside the Crew Module. If successful, India will join the ranks of only three other nations—Russia, the U.S., and China—that have independently sent humans into space, targeting to achieve this landmark by the end of 2025, despite potential delays.
Section 1.1: Technological Advancements in Human Spaceflight
For over a decade, ISRO has been steadily advancing the foundational technologies needed for this monumental endeavor, overcoming various hurdles and funding delays. The Indian government officially endorsed the human spaceflight program in 2018, leading to accelerated progress in technology development. In 2022, a successful integrated parachute test showcased safe splashdown capabilities, crucial for capsule recovery.
In February 2023, ISRO commenced sea recovery trials with a representative Crew Module, simulating its real-world counterparts. By April 2023, the liquid-fueled Vikas engine received human-rating approval after three years of rigorous testing, demonstrating improved structural integrity and monitoring capabilities. The Vikas engines will power the Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3), India's most powerful rocket, which will be instrumental in launching astronauts into space.
Additionally, in May 2023, ISRO qualified the Crew Module's propulsion system to ensure a controlled descent and stability during potential launch anomalies. The Service Module's propulsion system was successfully tested in July 2023, featuring multiple engines and thrusters to support the Crew Module throughout the mission.
Section 1.2: Safety Measures and Future Tests
In October 2023, ISRO executed a successful abort test, confirming that the crew escape system can safely extract astronauts from the launch vehicle in emergencies. Future tests will include parachute system evaluations from a helicopter and additional abort simulations to ensure robust safety protocols.
Chapter 2: Expanding Horizons and Global Collaborations
As part of a series of groundbreaking agreements in 2023 between India and the U.S., NASA will transport one of the Indian astronauts to the International Space Station later this year. Furthermore, several U.S. companies have expressed interest in utilizing aspects of Gaganyaan's technologies for future projects. Reports indicate that Blue Origin and ISRO are collaborating on using the LVM3 rocket for launching crew capsules to the upcoming commercial space station, Orbital Reef.
In October 2023, the Indian government tasked ISRO with establishing an Indian Space Station in orbit by 2035 and aims to send the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. To fulfill these ambitious goals, the Department of Space and ISRO are laying out a comprehensive roadmap for crewed missions and lunar exploration, which includes future missions involving a partially reusable Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
This exciting chapter in India’s space exploration journey offers a glimpse into a future filled with potential and discovery, marking a significant milestone for the nation on the global stage. If you found this overview of India's space endeavors intriguing, consider subscribing to receive future updates.