ISRO To Indigenously Develop Life Support System For Gaganyaan As Foreign Collaborations Don’t Fructify

Bengaluru: ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced that the space agency will independently develop the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the Gaganyaan human space flight mission.

Despite initial attempts to procure the system from other countries, no collaboration materialized. The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities by launching a crew to a 400 KM orbit, with a targeted 2025 launch date.

Somanath revealed the agency’s shift to indigenous development, stating, “We are going to develop it in India using the knowledge we have and using the industries that we have.” Highlighting the challenges, he emphasized the need for heightened skill and confidence in the Gaganyaan program. Acknowledging the inherent risk in rocket launches, he emphasized the importance of intelligent systems to ensure astronaut safety.

Addressing potential failures, Somanath discussed the ongoing efforts to imbue rockets with intelligence through sensor data, artificial intelligence, and swift decision-making capabilities. He underscored the necessity for split-second decisions in the event of failure and highlighted ISRO’s commitment to developing technologies for human spaceflight.

Somanath also mentioned ISRO’s continuous work on various technologies essential for human space flight. The Gaganyaan program represents a pivotal moment for India’s space exploration ambitions, requiring a synthesis of intelligence and technology to ensure mission success and astronaut safety.