Isro receives Crew Module for Important Air Drop Test

 Isro receives Crew Module for Important Air Drop Test

The Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) has received the aluminum and steel Crew Module that would keep astronauts seated during the crucial air drop test of the Gaganyaan mission.

R Hutton, the Acting Director of Isro's Human Space Flight Center, received the Integrated AirDrop Test Crew Module (IADT-CM) that was produced at KCP Heavy Engineering in Thiruvottiyur, Tamil Nadu.

Before launching the Human Space Flight Mission, the technology readiness level will be demonstrated using the IADT-CM.

The IATD-CM is an aluminum and steel alloy structure with dimensions of roughly 3.1 meters in diameter and 2.6 meters in height.

It is one of the most crucial tests for assessing the different Gaganyaan systems, according to Hutton. The parachute systems' validation is the primary goal. There are many types of parachutes that will be released at various altitudes and intervals. The complete crew module parachute system will be assessed using this crew module. According to the recommendations of our own design committee, we have scheduled both nominal and off-nominal tests. The module will be used frequently for one of these tests until the goal is met, according to Hutton.

The crew module will orbit the Earth at a speed of 7.4 km/sec, according to him, and must significantly slow down as it re-enters the atmosphere by employing parachutes.

The module will see an initial velocity drop as it enters the atmosphere. It is known as aerobraking. The greatest heat flux will occur at this moment. Hutton also said that Heat Insulation Tiles will be included in the re-entering crew module for thermal protection system. "Parachute deployment will occur at a lower altitude of 7 km to reduce velocity, and touch velocity will be around 8.5m/sec, which is permitted as per the physiological limit of the crew," he added.

Isro announced earlier in the day that the space agency would shortly start unmanned flight testing for the Gaganyaan mission. Later this month is probably when India's first human spaceflight project will do its abort test. "Preparations for the Aviation Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), which evaluates the performance of the Personnel Escape System, are underway," Isro stated in a statement.