ISRO Initiates HLVM3 Assembly for Gaganyaan Mission’s Inaugural Uncrewed Flight in 2025

New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) In a pivotal move towards the ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated the stacking of HLVM3 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. This mission is scheduled for launch in 2025 and marks the first uncrewed flight under the Gaganyaan program. The information gathered will be vital for the success of future manned missions.

The date notably aligns with the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X/CARE mission, which took place on December 18, 2014.

“On the 10th anniversary of LVM3-X/CARE, ISRO begins assembly of HLVM3 for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight! This is a major milestone towards India’s inaugural human spaceflight and future space endeavors,” stated ISRO.

“At 8.45 Hrs on December 18 at SDSC, the stacking of the nozzle end segment with the full flex seal nozzle of the S200 motor commenced, officially kicking off the launch campaign for the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission,” it further noted.

During the 2014 mission, LVM3-X (now known as HLVM3) successfully launched its first flight, carrying a Crew Module weighing 3,775 kg (LVM3-X/CARE mission) to a suborbital altitude of 126 km.

Utilizing thrusters, the module was oriented for a favorable re-entry and subsequently achieved a smooth splashdown in the Bay of Bengal, where it was recovered by the Indian Coast Guard.

The Crew Module was developed as part of preliminary activities for the Human Spaceflight Project, prior to the official approval of the Gaganyaan project in 2019.

“It is a remarkable coincidence that 10 years later, on the same date, ISRO is preparing for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed mission by starting the assembly of the human-rated LVM3,” ISRO mentioned. Dr. S Somanath, the Chairman of ISRO Mission, served as the Director of the LVM3-X/CARE mission.

The new HLVM3, evolved from LVM3, is crafted with enhanced reliability to prioritize human safety.

Significantly, to guarantee crew safety, it includes a Crew Escape System (CES), operational from the launch pad until separation, allowing crew members to eject from the Crew Module in emergency situations.

“HLVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with a payload capacity of approximately 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Standing at 53 meters tall and weighing 640 tonnes, the vehicle is undergoing final preparations with the Crew Module and related systems being checked at ISRO facilities,” ISRO stated.

The success of the LVM3-X/CARE mission has been instrumental in shaping the human spaceflight program.

The space agency remarked that the foundational data from the CARE mission has been essential in refining the design iterations of the Crew Module for the Gaganyaan mission, alongside subsequent pad abort tests, air-drop tests, and test vehicle flights.

The refreshed Crew Module, featuring enhanced safety margins and multiple redundancies, will be launched aboard the Human-rated LVM3, ensuring the safety of the Gaganyatris, ISRO confirmed.

Moreover, the Gaganyaan program is set to play a crucial role in the establishment and operationalization of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).