Indian Navy and ISRO release Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan

Kochi: Ahead of Gaganyaan mission expected to be launched later this year, Indian Navy and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have released a Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan. 

This was released earlier this week at the state of the art Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) INS Garuda, Kochi on May 24, Indian Navy informed it today. 

The training document was jointly released by VAdm Atul Anand, Director General of Naval Operations, Dr Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) and Dr Umamaheshwaran R, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO.

The document outlines the training plan for recovery of the Crew Module of the mission. And it goes on to define overall requirements about training of various teams participating in recovery operations including Divers, MARCOs, Medical Specialists, Communicators, Technicians & Naval Aviators.

During the event, the Crew Module Recovery Model was also formally handed over to Indian Navy at its state of the art Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, Kochi. The mass & shape simulated mockup will be used for familiarisation & training of Gaganyaan recovery teams.

Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space for the first time – to low earth orbit (LEO) for a week and they will be on board a spacecraft named Gaganyaan. 

According to the official spokesperson of the Indian Navy, the navy will assist ISRO by undertaking a series of trials to fine tune the Standard Operating Procedures for training the crew and recovery teams of Gaganyaan. 

Indian Space agency has been developing infrastructure and technologies including the spacecraft, the ground support systems as well as the launch vehicle.

Besides training the Indian astronauts, the ground crew and other stakeholders, teaming up with the Indian Navy is critical as they will be sent to recover the module after they touch down.

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