The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) encountered an unexpected setback during the first test flight of the Gaganyaan mission, designed to demonstrate crew escape capabilities. The scheduled launch was halted just five seconds before lift-off on Saturday due to engine ignition problems, leaving ISRO with the task of identifying and rectifying the issue before the next launch attempt at 10 a.m.
ISRO Chief S. Somanath confirmed the postponement, stating, “Test vehicle lift-off could not happen today. We have to find out what went wrong; the vehicle is safe.” The decision to halt the mission at T-5 seconds, just before the expected lift-off, was made to allow ISRO teams to thoroughly investigate the problem.
Here’s a timeline of what happened during the Gaganyaan test flight launch:
- ISRO had originally scheduled the inaugural test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission at 8 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, (AP) Andhra Pradesh.
- However, morning showers at the launch center caused a 45-minute delay in the flight schedule.
- Following the weather delay, the mission director confirmed that the weather conditions were suitable, and flight readiness was established. The green signal for the launch was given.
Despite a smooth activation of the automatic launch sequence, the computer system abruptly halted the process right at the scheduled launch time.
The objectives of the abort test demo include:
- Flight demonstration & evaluation of Test Vehicle subsystems.
- Flight demonstration & evaluation of the Crew Escape System, including various separation systems.
- Demonstration of Crew Module characteristics, deceleration systems at higher altitudes, & its recovery.
The Gaganyaan mission’s primary goal is to send humans into space, placing them in a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 kilometers for a three-day mission. The safe return to Earth is scheduled for 2025. The mission will utilize an LVM3 rocket, comprising various stages, including solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion systems, to transport the crew to the designated orbit. This delay in the test flight underscores the complex nature of space missions and the dedication required to overcome challenges on the path to human spaceflight.
