Context:
As ISRO gears up for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, it is meticulously designing safety protocols across all mission phases. Drawing on past incidents and global best practices, ISRO aims to ensure crew safety during launch, orbit, and reentry the three most critical phases of spaceflight.
Launch Phase: Comprehensive Escape Mechanisms
Pre-Launch Safety at the Launchpad
- Inspired by the Apollo-1 tragedy (1967), ISRO has equipped its Sriharikota SHAR launchpad with:
- Ziplines for quick evacuation
- Fireproof bubble lift to protect and transport astronauts
Crew Escape System (CES) After Ignition
- The human-rated LVM3 rocket will include a tractor-type CES mounted atop the crew module.
- Solid-fuel escape tower pulls the crew module away in emergencies, unlike SpaceX’s pusher-type system.
- Designed to operate at multiple altitudes using:
- Low-altitude Escape Motor (LEM)
- High-altitude Escape Motor (HEM)
2. Orbit Phase: Onboard Support and Contingency Protocols
Capsule Design
- Gaganyaan uses a two-part capsule:
- Crew Module: Living quarters
- Service Module: Engines, fuel, propulsion, and control
In-Orbit Safety Measures
- Propulsion support for mid-orbit escape
- Thrusters coordinate a controlled reentry if evacuation is required
- Service module detaches post-mission
ISS Docking Procedures (Though Gaganyaan won’t dock)
- Crew is trained for emergency docking protocols:
- Docked capsule serves as a lifeboat (as during NASA’s Starliner malfunction)
- Safe refuge zones within space stations are used during fire, collision, or radiation events
Gaganyaan’s safety infrastructure reflects a deep commitment to astronaut well-being and mission resilience, drawing from over half a century of spaceflight learnings. From emergency escape systems to parachute-based reentry control, ISRO’s human spaceflight program is blending global insight with indigenous innovation.
TH
