The Indian Space Research Organization on Wednesday (December 18) began the assembly of the Human Valuable Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the first unmanned flight of the Gaganyaan mission.
Assembly of HLVM3 is taking place at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota and an uncrewed flight from the spaceport is expected early next year.
“On December 18, 2024 at 0845 hrs, at SDSC, the nozzle end section stacking with full flex seal nozzle of the S200 motor took place, thus beginning the official launch campaign of the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission,” ISRO said.
Preparation of both S200 motors will now include assembling segments, control systems and avionics.
“The L110 and C32 stages for HLVM3 are ready at the launch complex. The crew escape system elements are also received at SDSC. The integration of the crew module is taking place at VSSC and the integration of the service module at URSC, Bangalore. Orbital module (OM) level integration and tests Later will be in URSC,” it added.
The Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of manned spaceflight capabilities by launching a three-member crew into a 400-km orbit for a three-day mission, landing in Indian waters and returning safely to Earth.
Under the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO intends to complete three missions and one crewed mission. An un-crewed mission is scheduled for 2024-25, and the first crewed mission is scheduled for 2025-27.
HLVM3’s conference on December 18, 2014 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X/CARE mission.
“It was on December 18, 2014, that the Indian Coast Guard recovered the crew module from SDSC-SHAR, about 1600 km from the rough seas of the Bay of Bengal. The same day in the morning, LVM3-X on its maiden flight, 3775 kg (LVM3-X/CARE mission) A crew module was raised to a suborbital altitude of 126 km from where it was controlled using thrusters. Orientation for entry,” ISRO said.
published – December 18, 2024 at 07:58 pm IST