Countdown Begins: ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission To Join Elite Space Club

The ISRO Gaganyaan mission is India’s first go at sending humans into space. Before the big launch, ISRO is doing a test called the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) on October 21. 

The point of this test is to check if the part where the astronauts will sit can quickly separate from the rest of the rocket in case something goes wrong. This is crucial for keeping the crew safe.

This October 21 test isn’t a one-time thing. There are three more test missions planned after this one. So, ISRO will have plenty of chances to make sure everything’s working perfectly. 

On the day of the TV-D1 mission, a rocket will go up nearly 17 km into the sky. Then, an “abort” signal will be given. This will make the crew part separate and come down using a parachute, landing in the Bay of Bengal.

ISRO isn’t just stopping at this test. They’re working on making the crew part super safe. This includes systems that control the air and temperature inside, and also a health check system for the vehicle. If something’s not right, this system will know and can stop the mission to keep the astronauts safe.

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The TV-D1 test is scheduled between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on October 21. You don’t want to miss it, right? The good news is, you can watch it live. ISRO will stream it on their website, Facebook, and YouTube. 

Even DD National will show it on TV. This test is a kind of rehearsal. It will use a simple, low-cost rocket with one engine, unlike the big rocket that will be used for the actual Gaganyaan mission.

The final goal for the Gaganyaan mission is huge! ISRO plans to send three astronauts into space. They will orbit Earth at a height of 400 km for three whole days. 

If this works out, India will join an elite club of countries like the U.S., Russia, and China, who have done human spaceflights. So, this test is a step towards making history!