ISRO begins assembling HLVM3 for Gaganyaan's first uncrewed flight in 2025

New Delhi

ISRO has begun assembling the HLVM3 rocket for the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, set for 2025. This marks a key milestone in India's space ambitions. The assembly started at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota on December 18, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of ISRO's LVM3-X/CARE mission, which laid the foundation for the human spaceflight program.

The HLVM3, a modified version of the LVM3 rocket, is designed to ensure crew safety with a Crew Escape System (CES), allowing for safe ejection in an emergency. The rocket stands at 53 meters tall and weighs 640 tonnes, with a payload capacity of 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Crew Module, developed before the official Gaganyaan mission was approved, has been enhanced for safety with multiple redundancies.

The Gaganyaan program builds on insights from the 2014 CARE mission, which tested key components like the Crew Module’s re-entry system. The data from this mission continues to guide the development of the Gaganyaan flight and will help with the creation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). ISRO aims to ensure the crew’s safety while making significant strides in India’s space exploration efforts.