Space Wrap: From Sriharikota to Leh, preparations for Gaganyaan mission in full swing

📌 Summary:

• ISRO successfully conducted the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan mission at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota

• Test details: A simulated Crew Module weighing ~5.7 tonnes (equivalent to actual G1 mission Crew Module mass) was lifted by Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to ~3 km altitude and released over a designated sea drop zone near Sriharikota coast

• Purpose of IADT: Tests the parachute and flotation systems of the Crew Module — critical for safe recovery of astronauts after splashdown in the sea

• Gaganyaan mission overview: India's first human spaceflight programme; G1 is the first uncrewed test mission; ISRO has not yet announced firm dates for G1 launch

• Significance of IADT-02: Marked a significant step in readiness for the G1 mission; validates that crew recovery systems work at correct mass and altitude parameters

• Leh angle: Preparations also involve high-altitude training at Leh for astronaut physiological conditioning; crew training ongoing at multiple ISRO and IAF facilities

• Broader context: Gaganyaan is a critical milestone for India's space programme; success will make India the 4th country to send humans to space (after USSR/Russia, USA, China); part of ISRO's vision to build an Indian Space Station by 2035 and send Indians to Moon by 2040

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Space technology, Gaganyaan mission, ISRO achievements; India's space programme milestones

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Gaganyaan: India's human spaceflight programme; crew of 3 to orbit Earth at 400 km altitude for 3 days

• IADT-02 (Integrated Air Drop Test): tests parachute and recovery systems; conducted at SDSC, Sriharikota

• Chinook helicopter: heavy-lift helicopter; operated by Indian Air Force; used for high-altitude logistics and now astronaut recovery testing

• Countries with human spaceflight capability: USSR/Russia (1961), USA (1961), China (2003); India (Gaganyaan — pending)

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC): ISRO's primary launch facility; located at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

🔑 Key Term: Gaganyaan — India's first indigenous human spaceflight mission by ISRO; aims to send a 3-member crew to Low Earth Orbit (400 km) for 3 days; G1 is the uncrewed demonstration flight.