ISRO Prefers Woman Fighter Test Pilots for Gaganyaan Mission: S Somanath

The chief of ISRO, S Somanath, has unveiled the space agency's preference for woman fighter test pilots or female scientists as prime candidates for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission. ISRO aims to send humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit of 400 km for three days and ensure their safe return to Earth.

Somanath revealed, "No doubt about it...but we have to find out such possible (women) candidates in the future."

Mission Milestones

As part of its progressive vision, ISRO is set to send a female humanoid, a robot designed to resemble a human, aboard its unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft in the upcoming year. The primary manned mission is projected for 2025 and will be of short duration.

ISRO Recruitment Strategies

Currently, ISRO is in the initial stages of selecting candidates from Air Force fighter test pilots, which represents a unique category. Somanath pointed out, "They are a bit different category. Right now, we are not having women fighter test pilots. So, once they come, that is one route." In addition to this, another avenue opens when there is an upsurge in scientific activities.

"Then, scientists will come as astronauts. So, at that time, I believe that more possibilities for women are there. Currently, possibilities are lesser because there are no women fighter test pilots," he elaborated. ISRO's ultimate goal is to establish a fully operational space station by 2035.

Technical Challenges and Insights

ISRO encountered some initial challenges during the recent test vehicle launch associated with the Gaganyaan program. Somanath reported that there was a smooth airlift and an automatic launch sequence leading up to the lift-off command.

However, the engine ignition did not proceed as anticipated due to an anomaly. ISRO is actively investigating this anomaly to ensure a safe and successful launch in the near future.

Chief of ISRO Somanath explained, "So what has happened is that the ground support computer doing this function has withheld the launch in view of the anomaly observed. We will come back after understanding the anomaly, correct it, and schedule the launch very soon."

The space agency conducted a simulated abort situation to test the Crew Escape System, successfully ensuring the Crew Module splashed down with planned precision into the Bay of Bengal.

Some of the latest facts about the ISRO Gaganyaan mission:

• ISRO is planning to launch the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission in December 2023.

• The first manned Gaganyaan mission is scheduled to launch in June 2024.

• ISRO has selected four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission: Gaurav Mishra, Rakesh Sharma, Nikhil Kumar, and Sharmila Manjunath.

• ISRO is currently developing the spacecraft and training the astronauts for the mission.

• ISRO has also selected a number of Indian companies to develop and manufacture components for the Gaganyaan spacecraft.

In addition to the above, here are some other relevant and latest facts:

• ISRO is also developing a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) called the Gaganyaan Orbital Vehicle (GSLV) for the Gaganyaan mission. The GSLV is expected to be ready for its first flight in 2025.

• ISRO is also working on developing a space station called the Indian Space Station (ISS). The ISS is expected to be completed by 2035.

• ISRO's Gaganyaan mission has been compared to NASA's Apollo mission, which landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969.

ISRO's Gaganyaan mission is a significant milestone in India's space program. It will be the first time that India sends humans into space. The mission is also expected to boost India's global standing in the space sector.