Before and During Launch
Launchpad Safety:
ISRO has installed ziplines and a fireproof bubble lift at the launchpad (SHAR, Sriharikota) for quick evacuation.
Inspired by the Apollo-1 accident (1967) and Soyuz T-10 fire (1983).
Crew Escape System (CES):
Designed for emergencies after ignition.
Tractor-type system pulls the crew module away from the rocket using solid-fuel escape motors.
Has two types of motors:
Low-altitude Escape Motor (LEM)
High-altitude Escape Motor (HEM)
Abort Scenarios:
Pad Abort: Both LEM and HEM are fired for immediate escape and sea splashdown.
In low-altitude aborts, LEM is jettisoned at a certain height to reduce weight.
In Orbit
Gaganyaan Capsule Structure:
Comprises a Crew Module (habitat) and Service Module (engines, fuel, systems).
After orbital insertion, CES components are discarded.
Emergency in Orbit:
Crew module uses onboard propulsion to deorbit and return safely.
Designed for quick re-entry if a crisis occurs in orbit.
Docking & Onboard Emergency Protocols
International Space Station (ISS) Protocols (as reference):
Docked capsules act as lifeboats during emergencies.
Safe refuge areas in space stations are sealed spaces during fires, debris collisions, or solar flares.
Gaganyaan Preparation:
While it won’t dock with a station, crew will be trained in such emergency protocols.
Reentry and Landing
Controlled Descent:
Capsule fires thrusters to start reentry.
Heat shield protects crew from 1,800°C friction heat.
Parachute Deployment System:
10-parachute sequence ensures smooth slowdown and landing:
Starts at 15.3 km with apex cover separation.
Drogue parachutes reduce speed to 70 m/s at 3 km.
Main parachutes reduce speed to 10-12 m/s for splashdown.
Final pyrotechnic release disconnects parachutes on landing.
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