Sriharikota, October 21 - ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission Test Flight Marks Milestone for India's Space Ambitions : In a rescheduled launch event, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully sent its rocket, laden with critical payloads dedicated to crew safety for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, soaring into the sky. The crucial test flight, which commenced its countdown last Friday, represents a significant stride toward India's ambitious endeavor of sending astronauts into the cosmos.

Scheduled to lift off at 8 AM today from the premier launch pad at the Sriharikota spaceport, this mission features a single-stage liquid propulsion rocket that includes a Crew Module and Crew Escape System. The primary objective of this endeavor is to rigorously assess the safety and performance of these components, which are paramount for the safe return of Indian astronauts back to Earth during the forthcoming Gaganyaan mission.

The overarching aspiration of the Gaganyaan mission is to usher humans into space for a three-day mission in a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 km, with a targeted return date of 2025. The ongoing launch showcases the Test Vehicle - Demonstration (TV-D1), a significant milestone in the Gaganyaan program, as it integrates a nearly comprehensive system for rigorous testing. The crew module and crew escape system, both integral parts of the rocket, will capture invaluable flight data, offering an in-depth analysis of their performance.

The anticipated test flight sequence is brief, with the Test Vehicle Abort Mission (TV-D1) initiating the crew escape system and crew module release at an altitude of 17 km. These components are expected to perform a safe landing in the sea, approximately 10 km from Sriharikota, situated on India's eastern coast. Following their landing, the Indian Navy will be responsible for retrieval from the Bay of Bengal. This successful test flight serves as a pivotal foundation for forthcoming qualification tests and uncrewed missions.

ISRO underscores the importance of the knowledge gained from this mission, which is paramount in ensuring the safety of the astronauts who will eventually journey within the crew module aboard the LVM-3 rocket during the momentous Gaganyaan mission.

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