Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) was a high altitude abort test performed as part of the Gaganyaan program, initially set to be held on 21 October 2023 at around 02:30 UTC (08:00 IST).[1][2][3] Liftoff was delayed to 03:15 UTC due to weather issues, and five seconds before launch it was put on hold by the on-board computer due to an engine anomaly, as reported in ISRO's mission livestream. The launch occurred at 04:30 UTC, and the crew module successfully separated from the launch vehicle.[4][5] The crew module was successfully recovered by the Indian Navy.[6] India is the fourth country, after Russia, the United States, and China, to successfully test this technology.[7]

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1
TV-D1 lifts off
NamesTest Vehicle Abort Mission-1
TV-D1
Mission typeIn-flight abort test
OperatorISRO
Apogee15 km (9.3 mi)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGaganyaan
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
Launch mass44 Tons
Landing mass4.5 tons
Dry mass17 tons
DimensionsLength: 34.954 m Diameter: 2.1 m (stage) , 4.05 m (CES)
Start of mission
Launch date21 October 2023
RocketGaganyaan Abort Test Booster (modified GSLV L40 stage)
Launch siteFirst Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre
End of mission
Landing siteBay of Bengal

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 Patch
 

Background

In April 2022, it was proposed that both demonstration missions should have a depressurized crew module.[8] On 10 August 2022 ISRO performed a successful static test of the Crew Escape System (CES).[9] The crew module fairing and the high altitude abort engine were delivered by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 18 August 2022.[10] In December 2022, the structural qualification test for the crew module fairing with grid fins was successfully completed for the TV-D1 configuration.[11] In August 2023, the rocket was ready at Sriharikota and the test was scheduled for late September.[12] TV-D1 is the first development flight from the Gaganyaan program.[10] Gaganyaan-1, the first orbital test flight, is planned to take place in 2024.[13]

TV-D1

The crew module used for TV-D1, was an unpressurised version that had completed its integration testing. This unpressurised module was required to have an overall size and mass of an actual Gaganyaan crew module, and housed all systems required for deceleration and recovery, including a complete set of parachutes, recovery aids actuation systems, and pyros. The avionics systems operate in a dual-redundant mode for navigation, sequencing, telemetry, instrumentation, and power. The crew module in this mission was extensively instrumented to capture the flight data for evaluation of the performance of various systems. The crew module was planned to be recovered after touchdown in the Bay of Bengal using a dedicated vessel and diving team from the Indian Navy.[14]

With a rocket based upon the GSLV L40 stage,[15] TV-D1 was to be launched up to 11 km above sea level, where an in-flight abort scenario would be initiated. The capsule was expected to then continue another 4–5 km. The mission aimed to test the CES's separation from the rocket, ability to maintain a trajectory leading to a safe distance, and eventual parachute deployment.[14][16][10]

Mission objectives
  • Flight demonstration and evaluation of the test vehicle subsystems
  • Flight demonstration and evaluation of the CES, including various separation systems
  • Crew Module characteristics and demonstration of deceleration systems at higher altitude and its recovery

Results

The launch occurred at 04:30 UTC, and was tracked by ground teams at Sriharikota. The crew module successfully separated from the launch vehicle and was recovered by the INS Shakthi in the Bay of Bengal despite rough seas.[4][5][17][6]

  • Gaganyaan development timeline
    Gaganyaan development timeline
  • Gaganyaan Test Vehicle for TV-D1 abort test
    Gaganyaan Test Vehicle for TV-D1 abort test
  • Gaganyaan TV-D1 test article
    Gaganyaan TV-D1 test article
  • TV-D1 flight profile
    TV-D1 flight profile
  • TV-D1 test article with aeroskirt housing gridfins
    TV-D1 test article with aeroskirt housing gridfins
  • TV-D1 integration
  • Stacking of TV-D1
    Stacking of TV-D1
  • TV-D1 on pad
    TV-D1 on pad
  • The Gaganyaan capsule, along with the escape booster on the launchpad
    The Gaganyaan capsule, along with the escape booster on the launchpad
  • TV-D1 launch slow-mo
  • TV-D1 onboard video
  • Gaganyaan TV-D1 capsule successfully secured on deck
    Gaganyaan TV-D1 capsule successfully secured on deck

See also

References
  1. "First Crew Module for Gaganyaan test flight takes shape". www.isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  2. "TV-D1 Flight Test". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. "First Gaganyaan uncrewed module to be injected in 170x408km orbit; indicates human spaceflight profile". The Times of India. 28 April 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  4. "Gaganyaan mission test flight live updates: Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 has been put on hold". The Times of India. 21 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. Gaganyaan TV-D1 Mission – Test flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, archived from the original on 20 October 2023, retrieved 21 October 2023
  6. "Multiple cams& drones, multiple ships and small boats..." X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  7. "Mission Gaganyaan: Better safe than starry". The Economic Times. 18 May 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  8. "Gaganyaan: First uncrewed mission to have unpressurised crew module". The Times of India. 29 April 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  9. "Gaganyaan: Low Altitude Escape motor of crew escape system tested". The Times of India. 11 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  10. "Gaganyaan: Isro receives key hardware from HAL". The Times of India. 18 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  11. "Government of India. Monthly Summary of the Department of Space for the month of December, 2022– reg" (PDF). Government of India Department of Space. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  12. "Chandrayaan-3 on Moon: What's next for Isro?". India Today. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. Livemint (16 March 2023). "Govt shares an update on Gaganyaan, first abort mission likely in two months". mint. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  14. "First Crew Module for Gaganyaan test flight takes shape". www.isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  15. "2 key Gaganyaan crew abort tests, Aditya top priority". The Times of India. 2 February 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  16. "Gaganyaan abort test: Vehicle to go up to 11km, crew module around 15km". The Times of India. 20 July 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  17. "Indian Navy recovered ISRO`s Gaganyaan Crew module, as storm brewed in Bay of Bengal - Science News". www.wionews.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.

Bibliography
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