Gaganyaan Crew Safety: Escape Systems and Protocols
Why in the news
ISRO detailed how crew safety is planned for India’s first human spaceflight across its riskiest stages.
Key facts
- Launchpad: Sriharikota pad has ziplines and a fireproof bubble lift, a lesson from Apollo-1 (1967).
- CES: tractor-type solid-fuel tower on the human-rated LVM3 pulls the crew module away; SpaceX uses a pusher type.
- Escape motors: LEM (low altitude) and HEM (high altitude).
Capsule
| Module | Role |
|---|---|
| Crew Module | Living quarters |
| Service Module | Engines, fuel, propulsion; detaches after mission |
- Thrusters manage a controlled reentry if evacuation is needed; parachutes help the descent.
- Crew train for emergency docking and refuge zones, though Gaganyaan will not dock.
Exam angle
- Tractor versus pusher escape system; LEM and HEM.