Gaganyaan mission highlights: One step closer to India’s first human space flight, says PM Modi

Following a two-hour delay and nerve-wracking moments after the engine of TV-D1 failed to ignite initially, ISRO scientists put the mission on course 75 minutes later when they launched the rocket with precision and achieved the goal of Crew Module and Crew Escape separation that was welcomed with loud cheers at the Mission Control Center here.

In the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO is yet to perform over 100 experiments before the scheduled human flight planned for 2025.

• In August, India accomplished a historic feat by becoming the fourth country to land an unmanned spacecraft on the Moon in its Chandrayaan-3 mission, joining Russia, the United States, and China in this achievement.

• The subsequent month, India launched a solar orbit probe - Aditya L1, designed to study the outermost layers of the Sun, further showcasing the nation's advancements in space exploration.

• India is planning a space mission to send astronauts beyond Earth's atmosphere for a three-day journey, ensuring a safe return with a soft landing in Indian territorial waters.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a vision to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040, marking significant achievements in India's space program.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: “This launch takes us one step closer to realising India’s first human space flight program, Gaganyaan. My best wishes to our scientists,” says PM Narendra Modi.

Mission director S. Sivakumar says, "This is an unprecedented endeavour, akin to combining three distinct experiments into one. Through this mission, we have successfully examined the characteristics of the test vehicle, the crew escape system, and the crew module, effectively showcasing our intended objectives. The performance of all systems was exceptional, marking the culmination of years of dedicated efforts. Today was the culmination of years of dedication, and we are thrilled to have achieved success on our very first attempt."

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: At around 17 kilometres altitude, the safety systems separated from the rocket and initiated a sequence of actions, including deploying parachutes, to safely return the crew capsule to Earth. The capsule landed in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 10 km off the Sriharikota coast. Now Indian Navy team will move to recover the test vehicle and bring it back to have a detailed analysis of the test launch.

This test is crucial to ensure astronaut safety in the event of contingencies during their space mission.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: “TV D1 Test Flight is accomplished. Crew Escape System performed as intended. Mission Gaganyaan gets off on a successful note,” ISRO confirms in an X post.

Following a two hour delay and nerve-wracking moments after the engine of TV-D1 failed to ignite initially, ISRO scientists put the mission on course 75 minutes later when they launched the rocket with precision and achieved the goal of Crew Module and Crew Escape separation that was welcomed with loud cheers at the Mission Control Center here.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO's launched first test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission at from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: ISRO Chief Somanath confirmed the postponement: "Test vehicle lift-off could not happen today. Engine ignition has not happened in the nominal course. We have to find out what went wrong; vehicle is safe." The mission was put on hold at T-5 seconds, just before the anticipated lift-off, prompting ISRO teams to investigate the issue further.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Gaganyaan mission's primary goal is to launch humans into space, placing them in a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 kilometres for a three-day mission, with a safe return to Earth scheduled for 2025.

The crew for the Gaganyaan mission will be transported to the designated orbit using an LVM3 rocket. This rocket consists of various stages, including solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion systems.

Gaganyaan mission: Reason for the launch hold identified and corrected; test vehicle launch planned for 10 am on Saturday, says ISRO

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: Here's a timeline of the events that unfolded during the Gaganyaan test flight launch:

• ISRO had scheduled the inaugural test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission at 8 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• However, the flight was delayed by 45 minutes due to morning showers at the launch center.

• The mission director later confirmed that the weather conditions were favorable and that the flight was ready for launch, giving the green signal.

• The automatic launch sequence was smoothly initiated but was unexpectedly halted by the computer right at the scheduled launch time.

Gaganyaan test flight halted due to engine ignition issue just five seconds before the scheduled lift-off.

"Test vehicle lift-off could not happen today. Engine ignition has not happened in the nominal course. We have to find out what went wrong; vehicle is safe," ISRO Chief Somanath said after the launch was put on hold just five seconds ahead of the scheduled lift-off.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aborted the launch of its inaugural test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission which was scheduled for launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

ISRO's Gaganyaan first test flight launch shortly.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The primary objective of the Gaganyaan mission is to launch a crew of three members into an orbit 400 kilometres above Earth's surface for a three-day mission, safely returning them to Earth by landing in the Indian Sea waters. This mission is slated to take place in 2025.

Astronauts for the mission, chosen from the Indian Air Force (IAF), are currently undergoing training at various ISRO facilities.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Indian Navy will lead the TV-D1 Crew Module recovery mission, which will take place roughly 10 km off the Sriharikota coast. Recovery ships positioned at a safe distance in the sea will approach the Crew Module.

A team of divers will attach a buoy to it, use a ship crane to lift the Crew Module, and transport it to the shore.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: ISRO announces that the countdown is held at -30 minutes.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to conduct the inaugural test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission today at 8:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates

Mission objectives include:

• Flight demonstration and evaluation of Test Vehicle subsystems.

• Flight demonstration and evaluation of the Crew Escape System, including various separation systems.

• Demonstration of Crew Module characteristics, deceleration systems at higher altitudes, and its recovery.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Crew Escape system comprises five quick-acting solid motors, each serving specific functions:

• Crew Escape System Jettisoning Motor (CJM)

• High-altitude Escape Motor (HEM)

• Low-altitude Escape Motor (LEM)

• Low-altitude Pitch Motor (LPM)

• High-altitude Pitch Motor (HPM).

These motors employ Penta Erythritol Dinitrate-based Composite Explosive Motor formulation to provide the necessary acceleration tailored to mission needs.

Gaganyaan mission LIVE updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to conduct the inaugural test flight for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission today at 8:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.