Fri Dec 20 13:23:00 UTC 2024: ## ISRO Begins Assembly of Rocket for India’s First Uncrewed Gaganyaan Mission

**Sriharikota, India –** The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has commenced the assembly of the Human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan-G1 mission, marking a significant step towards India’s first human spaceflight. The assembly began on December 18th, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the CARE mission.

According to S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Gaganyaan-G1 will be an end-to-end simulation of the manned mission, validating crucial technologies and capabilities. The crew module, currently undergoing integration at VSSC, will be transferred to the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru for integration with the service module. Following rigorous testing, the orbital module (crew and service modules combined) will travel to Sriharikota for launch.

The HLVM3-G1 mission will place the orbital module in an elliptical orbit, later circularized. Upon de-orbiting, the crew module will re-enter the atmosphere and splash down in the Bay of Bengal. The mission will also test the humanoid robot Vyommitra.

Dr. Nair highlighted the HLVM3’s key differences from the conventional LVM3, including a modified aerodynamic configuration featuring a crew escape system, resulting in a 10-meter increase in overall height to 53 meters. The human-rating process for the LVM3, completed after three years of testing, ensures enhanced reliability for the mission.

ISRO plans two more uncrewed missions, G2 and G3, before the manned flight. These missions will mirror G1’s parameters. The successful completion of Gaganyaan-G1 is a crucial step for India’s ambitions in human spaceflight.

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