Why in the news?

• ISRO conducts fresh tests to check parachute systems to bring back Gaganyaan astronauts.

Gaganyaan Mission

• Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2018.
• Objective: The Gaganyaan project plans to launch a crew of three people into orbit at a 400-kilometer altitude for a three-day mission before returning them safely to land in Indian sea waters.
• Mission Components
  • Launch Vehicle:
    • HLVM3 (Human-rated LVM3) – modified version of the LVM3 rocket (formerly GSLV Mk III).
    • Equipped with Crew Escape System (CES) for emergency evacuation.
  • Crew Module (CM): Pressurised capsule to house three astronauts, fitted with life support, avionics, and parachute-based recovery system.
  • Service Module (SM): Unpressurised section containing propulsion and power systems.
  • Orbital Module: Combination of CM + SM; total weight ~8 tonnes.
• Collaboration
  • Training of astronauts: Conducted in collaboration with Glavkosmos (Russia) at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.
  • Partnership with DRDO for space-grade life support and food systems.
• Significance: Gaganyaan will be India’s first manned mission to space ( The US, Russia, and China have conducted manned missions to space )

Source: Indian Express