Indian human spaceflight program

The still-unnamed Indian human spaceflight program is a mission undertaken by Indian Space Research Organisation to develop and launch a fully autonomous orbital vehicle to carry a two-member crew to LEO by 2015. [http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1942873,0008.htm] ] . The vehicle would be launched by India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk II) [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=8287 :: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines :: ] ] .

Development

On August 9, 2007 the Chairman of the ISRO, G. Madhavan Nair, indicated the agency is "seriously considering" a human spaceflight mission. He further indicated that within a year ISRO would report on its development of new space capsule technologies. [cite web | url = http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200708091621.htm | title = ISRO considering manned space mission: Nair | publisher = The Hindu]

Development of fully autonomous orbital vehicle to carry a two-member crew into a low Earth orbit has already began. ISRO sources said the flight is likely to be in 2015.Government has approved the project and allocated 50 crores (500 millions) for pre-project initiatives for 2007 through 2008. A manned mission into space would require about Rs. 10,000 crore ($3 billion) over an eight-year period. Planning Commission estimates that a budget Rs 5000 crore is required for Manned Mission initiatives during eleventh five year plan (2007-12).

The trials for the manned space missions began with the 600-kg Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, and safely returned to earth 12 days later. This demonstrates India's capability to develop heat resistant materials necessary for re-entry technology.

In 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to go into space, flying aboard a Soviet mission. Sharma was one of the scientists who endorsed the 2006 proposal for an Indian manned space program.

Description

The major objective of manned mission program is to develop a fully autonomous space vehicle to carry a 2 member crew to 400km orbit and safe return to the earth after a mission duration of few orbits to two days, extendable up to seven days, rendezvous and docking capability with space station or orbital platform. It will also have emergency mission abort and crew rescue provision during any phase of the mission. [http://planningcommission.nic.in:80/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_subspace.pdf Eleventh Five year Plan (2007-12) proprosals for Indian space program ] ]

ISRO plans to send a GSLV-MK II (Mark two with an indigenous cryogenic engine) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SHAR), Sriharikota, with a three-ton space capsule with two people onboard and complete with life support systems etc. About 16 minutes after lift-off, the rocket will inject the capsule weighing three tons into an orbit, 300 km-400 km from the Earth. The capsule would orbit the Earth and return for a splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.

Terminology

The name gaganaut, derived from "gagana" (meaning 'the heavens' or 'vast sky above us'), has become popular amongst the Indian space community as a term for Indian astronauts. The term antariksha yaatri has been suggested as a more proper name ("antariksha" signifies space beyond our Earth and "yaatri" means 'traveller'), and this is the name used in official documents, as well as the Indian media. Other suggestions include vishvanaut ("vishva" = world = this reality) and brahmanaut ("brahman" = universe).

References

External links

* [http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn10458-india-mulls-human-space-mission.html India mulls human space mission]
* [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200611071540.htm Indian scientists favour manned space mission]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/340785.cms ISRO to discuss manned mission to moon]
* [http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov07_2006.htm ISRO press release]
* [http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=1877&catype=NEWS President Kalam’s vision: India will land on moon in August 2025]
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/India_Wants_To_Send_Man_Into_Space_Ahead_Of_Further_Missions_Beyond_LEO_999.html India Wants To Send Man Into Space Ahead Of Further Missions Beyond LEO]
* [http://www.astronautix.com/craft/orbhicle.htm ISRO orbital vehicle record at Astronautix.com]

Source

* India's Space Odyssey - by Raj Chengappa - "India Today", pp 60 to 66 - February 5, 2007