On October 21 at 10 a.m., the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched TV-D1, the first unmanned developmental flight of the “Gaganyaan” human spaceflight programme. A crew module equipped with a crew-escape system (CES) was launched by a single-stage rocket to an altitude of 12 km. At that point, the crew module and CES separated from the rocket and ascended to a height of 17 km. The crew module and CES split apart in response to a command, giving the module time to reposition itself before dropping over the Bay of Bengal. Drogue parachutes were used to slow its descent first, followed by the main parachutes.
A few distance from Sriharikota, the module finally splashed into the Bay, where the Indian Navy dragged it out. Additionally, the CES splashed down further away. In addition to testing the CES's capacity to safeguard the crew in the event that the rocket malfunctioned, the mission also gathered sensor data that will help guide future tests. This information will serve as the test's foundation. ISRO plans to conduct a number of experiments to increase its confidence in its ability to safely launch people into space, according to ISRO chairman S. Somanath. There were 16 tests conducted on the parachutes used for TV-D1. Such meticulousness is unavoidable. TV-D1 was scheduled to take place at 8 a.m., but bad weather forced it to wait until 8.45 a.m.
The launch was then delayed by the automatic launch process with a small amount of time left. Later, Mr. Somanath declared that TV-D1 will be delayed. However, ISRO staff members were able to locate and fix the issue without delay, and the launch was rescheduled for 10 a.m.
These costly checks and balances are in place to avoid higher costs in the future. A initial draught of the program's plans costing an estimated 12,400 crore was prepared in 2009. In December 2018, the Union Cabinet approved the project at a cost of $9,023 billion, with maiden flight anticipated in 2022. The first crewed flight can now only take place as early as 2025 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other obligations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged ISRO last week to send people to the moon by 2040. This would be an extremely tight schedule even with the necessary financial backing, but as with fastidiousness, modern geopolitics has also made going back to the moon impossible. Fortunately, ISRO has demonstrated with “Gaganyaan” how a balance may be achieved: plan ahead, support local manufacture, thoroughly test, and launch when ready. The task can be carried out confidently while simultaneously enhancing local capabilities, even if the deadline is missed.
