ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced the agency's commitment to autonomously develop the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

Speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav 2023, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath expressed the agency's lack of expertise in developing an environmental control life support system. He noted that while their primary focus had been on designing rockets and satellites, they initially anticipated acquiring knowledge in this area from other nations. However, despite extensive discussions, there has been reluctance from other countries to share this expertise with ISRO.

The Gaganyaan project, designed to demonstrate India's capability in human spaceflight, has set the ambitious goal of launching a crew into a 400 km orbit and safely returning them to Indian sea waters by 2025.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath conveyed the organization's initial lack of proficiency in developing the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), emphasizing its traditional focus on designing rockets and satellites. Despite efforts to collaborate with other nations, none were willing to share the crucial knowledge. Consequently, ISRO has made the strategic decision to independently develop the ECLSS for the Gaganyaan mission.

Speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav 2023, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath reiterated ISRO's commitment to indigenous development for the Gaganyaan program. He emphasized the focus on skill-building and design enhancement, stressing the need for higher levels of skill and confidence for successful human space travel.

Somanath acknowledged the risks in rocket launches and stressed the importance of safeguarding astronauts. ISRO is actively embedding intelligence in rockets, utilizing sensor data and artificial intelligence for swift decision-making to prevent failures.

He highlighted the development of technologies for split-second decisions during contingencies, integrating data for proactive handling of rocket failures. In the pursuit of human space flight, ISRO is dedicated to pioneering technologies for astronaut safety and mission success.

He added the critical need for flawless rocket performance in human space flight, highlighting the ongoing efforts to embed intelligence in rockets. The goal is to ensure astronaut safety by proactively addressing any potential failures, and acknowledging the imperative of protecting astronauts in the event of a launch failure.

Somanath explained the challenge of informing the rocket in advance about an impending failure and initiating an abort before the failure occurs. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to develop intelligent rocket technologies, analyzing available measurement data to synthesize proactive solutions.

Image source: Business Today