India Successfully Conducts Test Flight for Gaganyaan Astronaut Mission

India has achieved a significant milestone in its space exploration journey with the successful test flight of the Gaganyaan crew module's emergency-escape system. This achievement marks a crucial step toward India's first-ever crewed mission to space, scheduled for 2024.

The uncrewed test, known as TV-D1, involved launching a test version of the Gaganyaan crew module along with its crew escape system. The launch took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, off India's southeastern coast.

During the test flight, the crew module and escape system demonstrated their ability to safely separate from the rocket at specific altitudes, ensuring that astronauts can escape in case of any issues during launch. The test proceeded according to plan, with the crew module deploying parachutes for a safe splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.

The Gaganyaan mission aims to send astronauts into an orbit of 400 kilometers (248 miles) before safely returning them after three days. If successful, India will join the ranks of countries, including the Soviet Union, the United States, and China, to send humans into space.