Bangalore, December 13, 2023: In a bold move, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has declared its intention to independently develop the crucial Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. This announcement marks a significant step towards self-reliance in the critical technology domain for human space exploration.
“We have no experience in developing an environmental control life support system. We were only designing rockets and satellites. We thought that this knowledge would come from other nations, but unfortunately after so much discussion, nobody is willing to give it to us,” Somanath said at the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav 2023.
The Gaganyaan mission, projected to launch in 2025, aims to propel Indian astronauts into a 400 km orbit and bring them back safely. Despite ISRO’s expertise in space technology, the ECLSS development presented a unique hurdle. To overcome this, the organization has committed to leveraging existing knowledge and collaborating with local industries.
However, challenges lie ahead. “The Gaganyaan program demands a higher level of skill and confidence than we currently possess,” emphasized Somanath. “Human space travel necessitates meticulous preparation and a risk-averse approach.”
Recognizing the inherent risks associated with space missions, ISRO is prioritizing astronaut safety. “Embedding intelligence within rockets through sensor data, artificial intelligence, and rapid decision-making capabilities is essential to avert potential failures,” stated Somanath.
He further highlighted the importance of developing technologies that pre-empt potential problems and integrate data for swift solutions in the event of unforeseen situations.
This decision to develop the ECLSS domestically reflects ISRO’s unwavering dedication to achieving self-sufficiency in human spaceflight. As they embark on this ambitious journey, they are committed to pioneering innovative technologies that ensure the safety and success of their astronauts, paving the way for future explorations of the cosmos.
“And if it goes wrong, then there is nobody who is able to correct it or adjust it. Thousands of elements should work without any flaw to make a launch happen. When you have a failure possibility, then you must have protection against it in human space flight. This is a core of human space flight – that we should not put the risk of having the astronaut lost due to the failure in the rocket. So it calls for intelligence in the rocket. This is what we are working on today,” he said.
“Then you have to tell the rocket that you are going to fail now and you better abort even before failure happens. This is a challenge of working on intelligence in the rocket and we are working on such technologies today, looking at the data which is available in measurements and then making a synthesis of it,” he added.
