News Highlight
Vyommitra, the humanoid designed and developed by the ISRO, to fly aboard unmanned test missions ahead of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Key Takeaway
- The ISROs Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) has successfully integrated Vyommitra with a computer ‘brain’, which enables it to ‘read’ control panels aboard the uncrewed test flights and communicate with the ISRO ground stations.
Vyommitra
- About:
- It is the prototype for a “half-humanoid”, and artificial intelligence technologies are used in a humanoid to perform simple functions, including walking, moving things, communicating and obeying commands.
- Production:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developed it to function on board the Gaganyaan.
- The Gaganyaan:
- Gaganyaan is the first project taken up by ISRO to demonstrate human space flight capability.
- The Gaganyaan programme envisages the demonstration of human spaceflight to LEO (Low Earth Orbit) with a crew of three astronauts to 400 km LEO.
Gaganyaan Mission: Manned space mission
- About
- Gaganyaan is the first project taken up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to demonstrate human space flight capability.
- Payloads:
- Crew module – spacecraft are carrying human beings.
- Service module – powered by two liquid propellant engines.
- Launch vehicle:
- The GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.
Significance of the Manned space mission
- Boost to scientific research:
- Astronauts would carry out a series of experiments, particularly microgravity experiments.
- Multiplier effect:
- The success of Gaganyaan can lead to many more experiments with space flight missions, including setting up its space station.
- Employment generation:
- It would create 15000 new employment opportunities, with 13000 of them in private industry.
- Improvement of industrial growth:
- Private sector participation will be boosted, especially after the government announcement of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
- Participation in the governance of outer space:
- India’s quest to undertake human space flight and its earlier Moon and Mars mission prove the growing sophistication of India’s space programme.
- Inspiration to the youth:
- It would inspire the young generation into notable achievements and enable them to play their legitimate role in challenging future activities.
- Boost to academic organisations:
- Gaganyaan Programme is a national effort and will involve the participation of academia and National Agencies. It will establish a broader framework for collaboration between ISRO, academia, industry, national agencies and other scientific organisations.
- Prestige:
- India will be the 4th country ( after the Soviet Union/Russia, the U.S and China) to launch a human space mission. The Gaganyaan will bring prestige to the nation and establish India’s role as a critical player in the space industry.
Challenges in Manned space mission
- Lack of training facilities:
- India does not have facilities such as centrifuges and aircraft to train India’s astronauts.
- High cost:
- It is not a one-time investment for demonstrating national capability but has to be continued, for which financial implications are a concern.
- Critical technologies:
- The monitoring and tracking system, space suit and crew support system are still in the developmental phase.
- Health issue:
- Changes in gravity affect hand-eye and head-eye coordination, bones may lose minerals, increasing the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, and human blood heats up without pressure.
- Re-entry risk:
- While re-entering earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft must withstand very high temperatures created due to friction and enter at a precise speed and angle.
- Threat from space debris:
- The threat of space debris is increasing in low earth orbits, which can depressurise the cabin crew module.
- Escape System:
- It is essential to develop a crew escape system to prepare for any emergency from the launch phase onwards and ensure the reliability of such a system.
Way forward
- Private sector:
- The private sector must be encouraged to support ISRO efforts and develop critical technologies.
- Human Capital:
- Youth should be encouraged through campaigns and media to take an interest in space activities.
- Government support:
- Government must keep encouraging and supporting ISRO’s efforts. Also, the government must work toward pitching in the private sector in space activities.
Pic Courtesy: ABP Live
Content Source: the Hindu