The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) identified 48 backup sites across the world for the Gaganyaan crew and module could splash down to ensure a safe and secure return of the astronauts, senior officials associated with the mission said.
Ideally, the mission module is supposed to land in the Arabian Sea, where Indian agencies will be placed for rescuing the crew and the module, Hindustan Times reported.
However, if the main plan goes any other way — even a small change — the space agency has identified 48 backup locations in international waters, officials said.
“In any mission, there is an ideal scenario and there are back-up plans in case that is not achieved,” a senior ISRO official said, adding that in case of Gaganyaan, if everything goes as per plan, then the module would splash down in the Indian waters.
But, the official said, since the mission involves human spaceflight, no risk can be taken when it comes to the safety of the crew. Hence, the space agency has “marked possible points where the capsule could land”.
“Even a minor variation in the mission can lead to the capsule landing hundreds of kilometres away,” the official was quoted as saying.
The official also noted that initially, the space agency had zeroed in on two landing spots in the Indian waters, one in the Arabian Sea and other in the Bay of Bengal. But, the roughness and unpredictability of the latter led to the finalisation of the Arabian Sea.
The mission’s progress is also running at a satisfactory pace, the official said, adding that the team is confident of conducting at least one uncrewed mission this year before the final mission’s a go.
Meanwhile, in the time leading up to the final manned mission, ISRO will conduct several rounds of tests to ensure that each and every system functions properly, with the satisfaction that the module is safe for the crew to fly out and return.
Just a week ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the four astronauts who have been selected for the Gaganyaan mission.
The four astronaut-designates are — Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla. The four are already undergoing training at Bengaluru’s Astronaut Training Facility for undertaking the nation’s first human spaceflight mission.
GAGANYAAN MISSION
India’s maiden human spaceflight programme, Gangayaan, is set to carry a crew of astronauts into low Earth orbit, making India the fourth nation in the world to do so, after the United States, Russia and China.
The spacecraft is designed for the mission is being developed with advanced technology to ensure the safety and success of the mission. The spacecraft will be equipped with life support systems, communication systems and other essential features to sustain human life in space. The mission is set to be launched by the end of 2025.
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