SATISH DHAWAN SPACE CENTRE (SRIHARIKOTA): The drive to Sriharikota island across the Pulicat lake, a bird sanctuary on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border, is almost meditative. But once you enter the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) on the island, you find yourself in a whirlwind of activity – more than a thousand employees are at work here.
Scientists and engineers sit in huddles in small conference rooms, some look at simulations, some others move between buildings and the first launch pad where a small rocket stands, ready to lift off at 8am on Saturday, carrying a replica of the ‘crew module’ that would take the first set of Indian astronauts from Indian soil to space, possibly two years later. About a minute later, the crew escape system (CES) with the crew module (CM) separates from the rocket. Once the CES reaches a height of 16.6km it would be deemed to have a problem and Isro scientists would abort the mission, sending the crew module splashing around 10km from where the rocket’s take-off site. They call it the ‘inflight abort demonstration’ (see graphic).
On Thursday, when TOI had exclusive access to the spaceport, senior Isro officials were in a closeddoor mission readiness review meeting, following which the launch authorisation board (LAB) would give the final green signal for Saturday’s mission.
“We are doing the final checks,” said SDSC director Rajarajan A. “Weather permitting, we will launch as per schedule.” The special test vehicle has been assembled along with the crew escape system and the crew module, he explains. Scores of engineers are busy doing health checks before fuel loading (which will happen Friday), creating umbilical support and ensuring rain protection.
On Wednesday, they did a “full check”, including moving the mobile tower that carries the rocket to the launchpad; another rehearsal is due on Friday. “The crew escape system is new, so many designs need to be checked. This is the first test where we simulate an abortion and check the capabilities of the crew escape system in real-time. They include parachute deployment and safe recovery of the module,” Rajarajan said.
Isro will do many more such tests before the actual manned mission. While all action has been on the first launch pad, the Gaganyaan mission will lift off from the second launch pad at SDSC. “We have quadruple check systems to ensure everything goes fine,” said the centre director.
For the crew to be taken to the height of the launch vehicle, modifications have been made by introducing a crew ingress system. SDSC has also erected a crew access platform from where astronauts will enter the crew module through a fire-proof bubble lift, which is ready.
“To deal with emergency situations we will erect a zip line which will quickly move the crew 800m-1km away from the launchpad on a basket. Once at a safe distance, they would get into a bubble lift that takes them to a bunker. They could stay there safely for about seven hours until the launchpad is cleared,” Rajarajan said.
With work on the crew access platform complete, Isro is working on a white room where the astronauts will make their final preparations before entering the crew module. Isro’s achievements so far have included sending a rover to Moon and sending an orbiter to Mars. With Gaganyaan, the mission is all about bringing back safely the men that it sends to space.
Saturday mission to last 8.8 mins
➤ The “In-flight Abort Demonstration” will last 8.8 mins
➤ It’ll simulate an abort condition during ascent trajectory at 1.2 Mach (1,482 kmph)
➤ Crew escape system (CES) with crew module (CM) separates from test vehicle (TV) at an altitude of 11.7km
➤ Abort sequence will autonomously commence CES, CM separation at 16.6km
➤ Parachutes get deployed CM splashes down in the sea, about 10km from Sriharikota coast
➤ Indian Navy team will recover CM after splashdown, while CES & TV parts sink into the sea