India's first manned mission to space in the works, ISRO undertakes tests
This comes just after a week that we came to know India could be the first country to step on the South side of the moon in order to mine the highly precious nuclear fuel helium 3. Now, ISRO is hustling towards yet another feet of propelling a group of humans in space.
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has tested a capsule prototype which will be used to send a group of humans in space, under its first manned space mission. The ISRO chairman K Sivan told The Times of India that the 'Pad Abort' or crew bailout system which was tested at 7 AM on July 5 was a victory.
Instead of a human, the test was conducted with the help of a crew model. The model was placed inside the capsule which was strapped to a rocket propeller. The propeller was launched and sent in the air where the capsule got separated from the rocket unit. The capsule landed slowly on the estimated spot in the sea, hanging on a pair of parachutes, as can be seen by the photo released by TOI.
Reportedly, it was a 259-second test and the main aim of the test was to check how safe the system is. The team intended to inspect if the capsule safely unfixes and deploys the parachute in case of emergencies. The ISRO chairman also stated that the human space programme will need to provide the involved crew with all the support amidst space which includes 'continuous oxygen supply, controlled pressure and environment system, food supply, human waste discharge system and crew protection system involving the escape capsule.'
India has never sent a human to space but an India IAF pilot Rakesh Sharma did a trip on a Soviet spacecraft in 1984. The tests suggest that India, in the coming days, might accomplish the task and make it to the list of countries to have sent a crew in space, similar to Russia, US and China.
As for the budget of the mission, ISRO will be releasing the report of the tests and analysis to the government, as stated by the ISRO chairman.
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