ISRO unveils space capsule that will fly Indian astronauts

[Dem!god]

After its Mars mission, India now aims to puts humans into space. The first steps towards flying Indian astronauts into space could be taken in weeks.

The Indian astronaut capsule has been unveiled for the very first time. If all goes as per plan in the first experimental flight of India's latest monster rocket, the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III is likely to be tested as early as May or June from Sriharikota.

It could see this astronaut module being flown into space for the very first time, but in a sub-orbital flight. In its first test flight no crew or any animals are likely to be flown.

"Only re-entry technologies and flight dynamics will be tested and the capsule will be recovered 400-500 kilometers away from Port Blair in the Bay of Bengal," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Radhakrishnan told NDTV.

ISRO has been dreaming of putting an Indian into space using an Indian rocket launched from India soil. ISRO has sought funding worth Rs. 12,500 crores from the government for the program. It says once the approval comes, an Indian astronaut can be flown in a low Earth orbit in about seven years from the time the approval comes from the government.

When it happens, India's human space capsule could be sent on a seven day mission for two-three astronauts in a low Earth orbit of 300-400 kilometers above earth.

Till date only Russia, USA and China have successfully flown astronauts into space with the latest entrant being China in 2003.

The outer skeleton of Indian human space capsule has been fabricated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore and was handed over to ISRO which developed it. HAL says the first Crew Module will be further equipped with systems necessary for crew support, navigation, guidance and control systems by ISRO for experimentation in the forthcoming GSLV-MK3 launch.

"HAL takes pride in the India's space programmes and our Aerospace Division has produced this Crew Module in a record time to meet the requirements of ISRO", said Dr RK Tyagi, Chairman, HAL.

While the government has hesitated to clear a hefty bill of Rs. 12,500 crores as desired by ISRO for its human space flight program, but so that there are no delays in the development work the Indian government has already sanctioned Rs. 145 crores for the development of what it calls 'critical technologies'.

ISRO unveils space capsule that will fly Indian astronauts | NDTV.com

@levina @chak de INDIA @Indischer @Hermione @thesolar65 @DRAY @scorpionx @Roybot

 

[Indischer]

So we're roughly a decade behind China in Space launch and exploration capabilities. Not bad, ain?

 

[scorpionx]

Good progress. We can earn a lot of money by space tourism.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Good progress. We can earn a lot of money by space tourism.

The city hasn't been settled yet, and look, we have a beggar.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

So we're roughly a decade behind China in Space launch and exploration capabilities. Not bad, ain?

Eh?

How do you figure that?

Iran has already sent an animal into space, but it will take a long time yet before they can do the same with humans.

 

[Indischer]

Eh?

How do you figure that?

Iran has already sent an animal into space, but it will take a long time yet before they can do the same with humans.

It's basically half in jest and half in comparison with the timelines for realization of similar technologies/capabilities. The launch vehicle capabilities, re-entry module validation etc. India obviously could send an animal into space ever since it developed the SLV rocket. But that's besides the point I was trying to make.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

It's basically half in jest and half in comparison with the timelines for realization of similar technologies/capabilities. The launch vehicle capabilities, re-entry module validation etc. India obviously could send an animal into space ever since it developed the SLV rocket. But that's besides the point I was trying to make.

Oh right. My mistake.

 

[Indischer]

Oh right. My mistake.

Hey, No probs buddy!

 

[Guynextdoor2]

this is the structural construction. ISRO hasn't 'unveiled' capsule, now they'll put in sub-systems, test fly it etc. Wrong reporting.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

-delete-

 

[Levina]

ISRO makes us proud....always.

But if HAL can make human space capsules then why not VVIP helicopters???

 

[Indischer]

ISRO makes us proud....always.

But if HAL can make human space capsules then why not VVIP helicopters???

Because it knows it cannot break into the international helicopter market and pitch in with substantial sales even if it has a good product on it's hands. For a limited quantity niche requirement, it's uneconomical for HAL, which after all is still a PSU mandated with generating enough revenues for it's own upkeep, to pursue such projects.

 

[Levina]

Because it knows it cannot break into the international helicopter market and pitch in with substantial sales even if it has a good product on it's hands. For a limited quantity niche requirement, it's uneconomical for HAL, which after all is still a PSU mandated with generating enough revenues for it's own upkeep, to pursue such projects.

So be it Indee.
But you know HAL already makes Light combat Helicopters LCH and Light utility helicopters LUH.
HAL dhruv is already inducted into IAF.
According to Forecast International HAL is projected to become the third largest manufacturer of light military helicopters between 2011-2020 with Eurocopter being the largest and Agusta Westland becoming the second largest. Now hows that for a good news???
Are we not underestimating HAL???
But hey we wont discuss TATAs on this thread )

 

[Indischer]

So be it Indee.
But you know HAL already makes Light combat Helicopters LCH and Light utility helicopters LUH.
HAL dhruv is already inducted into IAF.
According to Forecast International HAL is projected to become the third largest manufacturer of light military helicopters between 2011-2020 with Eurocopter being the largest and Agusta Westland becoming the second largest. Now hows that for a good news???
Are we not underestimating HAL???
(We wont talk about TATAs on this thread )

Yes. And they've been able to undertake expensive R&D, import expensive machinary etc, increase their manpower etc all because they were implicitly assured of a certain minimum number of sales. Breaking even and hopefully, making a profit, are all that influence such projects.

A VIP transporter might need multiple redundancies in a number of subsystems in order to increase the survivability of occupants. The present Dhruv, LUH etc are all configured for mil ops, and might need significant design changes to enhance their redundancies. If the Indian Govt can ensure a certain minimum sales for such a new product, they might yet take it up.

 

[dray]

Great going ISRO, make us proud.