Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Sunday shared the onboard video of Gaganyaan TV-D1 test vehicle that the Indian space agency launched successfully on Saturday putting India on the small and exclusive list of countries that can launch a crewed spacecraft by itselfâGaganyaan.
After overcoming initial hiccups including delays, the space agency successfully launched the test vehicle with payloads related to the country’s ambitious Gaganyaan programme.
The crew escape system successfully separated the crew module from the launch vehicle. After descending using parachutes, it splashed down successfully in the Bay of Bengal. And then, the Indian Navy successfully recovered the crew module.
Gaganyaan TV-D1 test vehicle launch
Here is a video of the Gaganyaan TV-D1 test flight mission launch
Meanwhile, ISRO chief S Somanath today said the space agency will send a female humanoid – a robot that resembles a human – in its unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft next year, reported PTI.
The ambitious mission aims to send humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit of 400 km for three days and bring them safely back to Earth, the report said.
The ISRO chief said the agency prefers woman fighter test pilots or female scientists for its much-awaited human space flight programme Gaganyaan mission and it is possible to send them in the future.
“No doubt about it…but we have to find out such possible (women) candidates in the future,” PTI quoted Somanath as saying.
“Right now, the initial candidates are to be from Air Force fighter test pilots…they are a bit different category. Right now, we are not having women fighter test pilots. So, once they come, that is one route,” the ISRO chairman added.
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