Bharat’s space ambitions are soaring higher as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reaffirms its commitment to lunar exploration until an Indian astronaut touches down on the Moon.
Speaking at an event in Ahmedabad, ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced the continuation of the Chandrayaan series, emphasizing the need to master essential technologies for human lunar missions. Last August marked a significant milestone for Bharat, as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft executed a successful soft landing on the lunar south pole, a feat achieved by no other nation.
Somanath highlighted the success of Chandrayaan 3, noting the collection of valuable data and the commencement of scientific publications.
However, he stressed the importance of mastering various technologies, such as safe lunar travel, before endeavoring further. The next mission aims to address these challenges, paving the way for eventual human exploration of the Moon.
Additionally, ISRO is making strides towards its first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. Somanath outlined the upcoming milestones for the project, including an airdrop test scheduled for April 24.
Following this, two uncrewed missions are slated for next year, with the manned mission anticipated by the end of the same year, pending successful progress. The Gaganyaan project seeks to demonstrate Bharat’s capability for human spaceflight by launching a crew of three members into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, returning safely to Earth via landing in Indian sea waters.
ISRO’s recent breakthrough in rocket engine technology has further bolstered its capabilities. The development of a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle promises to enhance crucial parameters of rocket engines, including thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios.
This innovation, achieved by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, offers significant advantages over traditional metal nozzles, such as reduced weight and improved efficiency. The C-C nozzle will find application in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), further optimizing payload capacity for future missions.
This remarkable achievement underscores ISRO’s relentless pursuit of technological advancement and its commitment to propelling Bharat’s space exploration endeavors to new heights. As the nation continues its journey towards space exploration and beyond, ISRO remains at the forefront, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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