ISRO And Indian Navy Conduct Successful Gaganyaan Recovery Trials

ISRO announced on Tuesday that it successfully conducted Gaganyaan recovery trials with the Indian Navy on December 6. The trials took place at the Eastern Naval Command using a well deck ship near Visakhapatnam.

A well deck allows a ship to flood its compartment, enabling spacecraft, boats, or landing crafts to dock inside. ISRO explained that recovering the Crew Module quickly and safely is crucial for the mission’s success. Towing the Crew Module into a well deck offers the crew a comfortable exit.

Trials Validate Recovery Procedures

The team used a mock-up of the Crew Module with the same size and mass for the trials. They tested operations such as attaching a recovery buoy, towing the module, guiding it into the well deck, and draining the compartment. ISRO confirmed these tests validated recovery sequences and ground fixtures.

Part of Gaganyaan Mission Preparations

ISRO and the Navy are conducting multiple trials to finalize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for different recovery scenarios. Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight, will send three astronauts to a 400-km orbit for three days. The mission includes a sea landing for the Crew Module.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath earlier stated that the mission is on track for a launch by the end of 2024.

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