TV-D1
TV-D1 (Test Vehicle Demonstration 1[1]) will be a high altitude abort test as part of the Gaganyaan program, set to be held in May 2023.[2]
| Mission type | In-flight abort test |
|---|---|
| Operator | ISRO |
| Apogee | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Gaganyaan test article |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | May 2023 |
| Rocket | GSLV L40 stage |
Background
In April 2022 it was proposed that both demonstrations missions should have a depressurized crew module.[3] On 10 August 2022 ISRO performed a successful static test from the Crew Escape System.[4] The crew module fairing and the high altitude abort engine was delivered by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 18 August 2022.[5] In December 2022, structural qualification test for Crew Module Fairing with Grid Fins was successfully completed for TV-D1 configuration.[6]
Mission objectives
With a rocket based upon the GSLV L40 stage,[7] TV-D1, the first development flight from the Gaganyaan program,[5] will be launched up until 11 km from sea level, where an in-flight abort scenario will be initiated, and the capsule should flight until 15–16 km. The mission should test the separation from the rocket and its trajectory until a safe distance and parachute deployment.[8][5] The capsule will have the same mass as the crewed version.[9]
The mission will be tracked by the team at Sriharikota.[8][5] If successful, India will be the fourth country, after Russia, United States and China, to master this technology.[10]
Gaganyaan 1, the first orbital test flight, is planned to 2024.[2]
See also
- Gaganyaan, India's crewed spacecraft
- Indian Human Spaceflight Programme
- Launch escape system
References
- Times of India, 28 April 2022.
- Mint, 16 March 2023.
- Times of India, 29 April 2022.
- Times of India, 11 August 2022.
- Times of India, 18 August 2022.
- Government of India, December 2022, p. 3.
- Times of India, 2 February 2022.
- Times of India, 20 July 2022.
- Times of India, 13 October 2022.
- Economic Times, 18 May 2022.
Bibliography
- Kumar, Chenthan (2 February 2022). "2 key Gaganyaan crew abort tests, Aditya top priority". Times of India.
- Kumar, Chenthan (28 April 2022). "First Gaganyaan uncrewed module to be injected in 170x408km orbit; indicates human spaceflight profile". Times of India.
- Kumar, Chenthan (29 April 2022). "Gaganyaan: First uncrewed mission to have unpressurised crew module". Times of India.
- Bagla, Pallava (18 May 2022). "Mission Gaganyaan: Better safe than starry". Economic Times.
- Kumar, Chenthan (20 July 2022). "Gaganyaan abort test: Vehicle to go up to 11km, crew module around 15km". Times of India.
- Kumar, Chenthan (11 August 2022). "Gaganyaan: Low Altitude Escape motor of crew escape system tested". Times of India.
- Kumar, Chenthan (18 August 2022). "Gaganyaan: Isro receives key hardware from HAL". Times of India.
- ANI (13 September 2022). "First trial for Gaganyaan to be done by end of 2023, or beginning of 2024: Jitendra Singh". Times of India.
- Kumar, Chenthan (13 October 2022). "Gaganyaan: First abort test likely only in early 2023". Times of India.
- Singh, Surendra (28 October 2022). "First test-flight of Gaganyaan mission in February: Isro official". Times of India.
- "Government of India. Monthly Summary of the Department of Space for the month of December, 2022– reg" (PDF). Government of India Department of Space. 10 January 2023. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- "Will conduct 6 test launches before manned mission, building some Gaganyaan systems in-house to cut cost: Isro chief". Times of India. 5 January 2023.
- Kumar, Chethan (25 February 2023). "Gaganyaan: First abort test moves a step closer; Isro receives simulated crew module structure assembly". Times of India.
- "Govt shares an update on Gaganyaan, first abort mission likely in two months". 16 March 2023.