India pushes ahead with manned mission, announces the first TV-D1 high-altitude escape test on October 21

CTOnews.com, October 17 (Xinhua) the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has officially announced that the first high-altitude escape test (TV-D1) will be conducted at the Sadish Dawan Space Center (SDSC-SHAR) from 7: 00 a.m. to 9: 00 a.m. on October 21, 2023, with the aim of verifying the escape procedures of manned missions.

According to information previously released by ISRO, the size and weight of the TV-D1 command module fully refer to the actual manned design, and carry all escape and landing-related system equipment, including three parachutes.

It has the same size and weight as the actual crew cabin and carries all the escape and landing-related system equipment (figure 4 shows the three parachutes used).

The command module will carry a GSLV L40 rocket and will be launched at an altitude of 11 kilometers above sea level. The mission of the high-altitude escape test is to allow the command module to fly 15-16 kilometers. The mission will check the separation from the rocket and whether its trajectory is maintained at a safe distance and parachute deployment.

If India can successfully complete the TV-D1 test, it will become the fourth country after Russia, the United States and China to master the technology.

CTOnews.com also learned from the report that ISRO plans to conduct the first orbital test flight of Gaganyaan-1 in 2024.