DocM Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Our Indian friends are taking another big step. http://m.deccanherald.com/content/437480/isros-human-space-flight-endeavour.html/#sthash.1ulyFJkG.dpuf Prashanth G N, Oct 23, 2014, Bangalore: ISRO's human space flight endeavour inches ahead Taking a first flight-related step in its Human Space Flight (HSF) endeavour, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will, in nearly 45 days time, launch an unmanned crew module on the experimental GSLV MK III flight. The date of the launch will be finalised at a review meeting immediately after Deepavali celebrations. We will examine all aspects of the crew module and the MK-III flight after which comes the launch window and date, Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan told Deccan Herald. He said: The government had sanctioned Rs 145 crore towards the HSF programme. With that funding we have been able to develop a crew module that will fly the astronauts to space, space suits, life support systems and a host of technologies relevant to the HSF. The first test trial, that of the crew module, will be undertaken in November last week or December first week on the GSLV MK-III. The crew module will be injected into orbit by the GSLV at a height of 110-120 km in space from where it will fall towards the earth and be recovered from sea. Isro will examine how the crew module and thermal shield around it handle the heat and temperatures during re-entry into the earths atmosphere. The modules behaviour during re-entry will determine the technologies to be developed for the manned space flight. The Indian Air Force will conduct trials of retrieving the crew module from sea after a soft-landing. The three-and-a-half tonne module will transport two astronauts to space. The astronauts inside the module will be able to see flight data during the flight. Once injected into orbit at a height of 270 km in the actual flight, the module will orbit the earth for seven days and then prepare itself for the flight back to the earth. The module has to withstand temperatures running to 1,500 degrees centigrade during the re-entry. The heat shields will have to shake off the pressure on its re-entry. In February 2003, the US space shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry as the thermal heat shields could not withstand the heat. The manned flight to space will be undertaken after these tests pass the space-quality criterion. The GSLV MK-III has made at least four to six successful test flights, which means the HSF may take pace by 2020. Isros model of building critical technologies, launch vehicles and satellites at lower budgets has helped in the HSF project too. Besides, several public and private sector companies have helped it build the module. To name a few, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) developed the internal structure, SIDCO helped in making vibration-resistant materials, and composite materials came from Valeth High Tech Composites. a1ien, neo1911 and Victor Rambo 3 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 "The heat shields will have to shake off the pressure on its re-entry. In February 2003, the US space shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry as the thermal heat shields could not withstand the heat." It could handle the heat perfect, except for the fact that it had like... a big giant hole in it! Weird that they put a phrase like this in there. Also, nice and simpel design for the capsule. Terrible color though, it resembles a giant space butt plug like this :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Rather Dragon-like with the steep side angle. This gives a better diameter to volume ratio. The color may be some sort of KISS/inexpensive thermal protection layer like SpaceX's SPAM. Wish them all the best, hoping they can meet the vehicle & avionics specs to join the ISS team. After MOM, something tells me they'll do just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Correction: this story is wrong - it's a suborbital test. The orbital test is later. Another story, http://m.newindianexpress.com/kerala/373071 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BajiRav Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 This is launching today... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BajiRav Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Launch successful http://youtube.com/pD0RtxuGxug?t=25m52s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Congratulations India & ISRO on the successful launch of GSLV MkIII and the test flight of your Crew Module spacecraft!! Next stop is to get some astronauts on board and do a shakedown cruise. WELL DONE!! BTW: the solid boosters are the 3rd largest in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 Looks pretty good after re-entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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