The Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, has informed us that ISRO is getting ready for the first unmanned mission under the Gaganyaan programme. Speaking on the sidelines of the eighth Bengaluru Space Expo in Bengaluru today, he informed media persons that the orbital module for the unmanned mission is getting ready and will soon be shifted to Sriharikota.
The first unmanned mission is scheduled later this year. Dr. Unnikrishnan informed that after the major milestone of successfully testing the reusable launch vehicle RLV LEX 02 named Pushpak in Chitradurga recently, ISRO is getting ready for testing the parachute system of the reusable space vehicle. He added that a highly reliable crew escape system was also tested.
Under the Gaganyaan program, ISRO will conduct three unmanned test flights before the final manned mission. Dr. Unnikrishnan also said that ISRO will work on the space station to be realised by 2035 and also Chandrayaan 4, which will have the capacity to land on the Moon, collect samples, and return back to Earth.
