The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has meticulously identified 48 backup sites worldwide to ensure the safe return of astronauts and modules in the Gaganyaan mission, revealed senior officials familiar with the project.
While the primary plan envisions the crew and module landing in the Arabian Sea, where Indian agencies are poised for rescue operations, ISRO has devised backup strategies for any unforeseen deviations from the original plan.
"In any mission, there is an ideal scenario and there are backup plans in case that is not achieved," explained a senior ISRO official, emphasising the paramount importance of crew safety in human spaceflight endeavors.
The official stressed that even minor variations in the mission trajectory could lead to the capsule landing far from the intended target.
Initially, ISRO had pinpointed two landing spots within Indian waters, one in the Arabian Sea and the other in the Bay of Bengal.
However, the ruggedness and unpredictability of the latter prompted the final decision to opt for the Arabian Sea.
The progress of the Gaganyaan mission is proceeding satisfactorily, with the team aiming to conduct at least one unmanned mission this year before proceeding with the final manned mission.
Ahead of the manned mission, ISRO will conduct rigorous testing to ensure the functionality and safety of every system onboard the spacecraft. The agency is committed to certifying that the module is fully prepared for crewed flight operations.
Just recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of the four astronauts selected for the Gaganyaan mission: Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla.
These astronauts are presently undergoing training at Bengaluru's Astronaut Training Facility in preparation for India's inaugural human spaceflight mission.
Gaganyaan Mission: India's maiden human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, aims to carry astronauts into low Earth orbit, thereby establishing India as the fourth nation in the world to achieve this feat, following the United States, Russia, and China.
The spacecraft for the mission is being developed with cutting-edge technology to ensure its safety and success.
Equipped with life support systems, communication facilities, and other essential features, the spacecraft is poised to sustain human life in the challenging environment of space. The mission is slated for launch by the end of 2025.
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