Human Space Programme

BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) early on Thursday conducted another test of its crew escape system — a key system being developed as part of the proposed human spaceflight programme — taking another step forward in realising another indigenous technology.The space agency tested the crew escape system for its crew capsule in an emergency pad abort test (PAT) in Sriharikota. The test, which lasted a little more than three minutes, involved aborting the space capsule at launch to save astronauts.Also, Isro, which has already completed successful tests of the scaled down version of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), is preparing for a major experiment, but the immediate priority is the Rs 800-crore Chandrayaan-II mission slated for an October launch.The space agency has completed the wind tunnel model with landing gear and low subsonic tests at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K). In the next phase, Isro has proposed to design and develop a scaled-up version of RLV and carry out an orbital re-entry experiment.“Landing site has been identified for configuring landing runway with land based navigational aids for an autonomous descent and land experiment. For unmanned landing, land based navigational aids and associated systems have to be established,” scientists working on the project said.Mastering of the reusable technology will add wings to India’s dream of eventually building a vehicle that can go into space, deploy satellites and come back, which may take at least another decade.Former Isro Chairman AS Kiran Kumar had told TOI that having this technology would reduce the launch cost considerably, and other scientists estimated that it would bring the cost launch down to one tenth of what it presently is.The technology will be essential towards realising a Two-Stage-to-Orbit (TSTO) fully reusable launch vehicle, which according to its design theory can be used multiple times. The TSTO technology will allow Isro to move away from the expendable launch vehicle technology, cutting the launch cost.The technology is also crucial for India’s proposed manned space mission. The mission is yet to get a complete go ahead from the government, but the UPA-led government had sanctioned Rs 145 crore for pre-launch activities.