As per reports, the recovery trial operations for India's Gaganyaan mission have entered the second phase, commencing the harbour trials at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian Navy collaborated in conducting these trials, utilizing a specially designated ship for the recovery operations during the first Development Mission of the Test Vehicle.

The Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, served as the testing site, where a Crew Module Mockup, designed to simulate mass and shape, was employed. This mockup played a crucial role in the testing process, ensuring that the recovery procedures accurately replicated real-world conditions, as confirmed by the Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO in a statement. The trials encompassed various stages of recovery, including the attachment of the recovery buoy, towing, handling, and lifting of the crew module onto the ship deck.

According to ISRO's statement, the recovery procedures were meticulously executed in line with the designated recovery sequence, showcasing the teams' preparedness and coordination during the trials.

To guarantee a smooth and safe recovery process, the Standard Operating Procedures underwent fine-tuning, incorporating insights from the phase-1 trials at the Water Survival Training Facility in Kochi. This iterative approach enabled the refinement of processes, contributing to improved efficiency and reliability of the recovery operations, stated the national space agency.

The ambitious Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission and safely bringing them back to Earth, with a landing in Indian sea waters, according to ISRO's vision for the mission. The successful completion of the second phase of recovery trials represents a significant step forward in realizing this ambitious space endeavor.

In the latest phase of the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO and the Indian Navy jointly conducted harbour trials at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Utilizing a Crew Module Mockup with simulated mass and shape, the trials demonstrated various stages of recovery, including towing and lifting of the crew module onto the ship deck. Refinements made based on previous trials enhanced the efficiency and safety of the recovery process. The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capability and represents a significant step in the country's space exploration journey.

Image source: The Telegraph India