Why in news?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a cost‑effective test vehicle to validate its Crew Escape System (CES), a critical safety mechanism for the upcoming Gaganyaan crewed mission. This system ensures astronauts can be pulled away safely if the launch vehicle suffers a failure.
Background
Human spaceflight involves risks, especially during launch when rockets undergo maximum stress. To protect astronauts, agencies develop escape systems that can quickly separate the crew module from an exploding or malfunctioning booster. ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme employs a puller‑type escape system mounted atop the crew module. In contrast, some designs, like SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, use a pusher system integrated into the capsule.
How the Crew Escape System works
- Activation: In an emergency, high‑burn‑rate solid motors fire to pull the crew module away from the launch vehicle. This occurs within fractions of a second to maximise distance from danger.
- Separation and descent: Once safe, the escape tower jettisons, and the module descends using a multi‑stage parachute system. Parachutes deploy sequentially to reduce velocity and ensure a gentle splashdown in the sea.
- Integrated monitoring: The launch vehicle’s Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system continuously monitors critical parameters. If anomalies are detected, it can automatically trigger the escape sequence, ensuring rapid response even if astronauts cannot react.
Significance
- Safety first: A reliable CES is vital for astronaut survival during abort scenarios. It must operate flawlessly during ascent, when atmospheric and structural stresses peak.
- Technological advance: ISRO’s development of a single‑stage test vehicle demonstrates progress toward indigenous crewed spaceflight capability.
- Comparison of systems: Puller‑type systems, like those used on Gaganyaan, Saturn V and Soyuz, pull the capsule away using a tower of solid rockets. Pusher‑type systems, such as SpaceX’s, use motors within the capsule. Each approach has advantages; ISRO selected the proven puller design for its first mission.
Conclusion
The Crew Escape System is a cornerstone of Gaganyaan’s safety architecture. By investing in robust abort capability and continuous monitoring, ISRO aims to protect astronauts during the most critical phase of flight and build confidence in India’s human‑spaceflight programme.