ISRO Successfully Tests Human-Rated S200 Rocket Booster for 2023 Gaganyaan Mission at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• Design and development of the HS200 booster were completed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

• HS200 booster loaded with 203 tons of solid propellant was tested for a duration of 135 seconds.
• The 20m long and 3.2m diameter booster is the world’s second-largest operational booster with solid propellant.

Human Rating

1. S200 rockets tested for the human rating would be called HS200 (Human rated S200) Rocket System.
2. Now, ISRO names the human rated version of the GSLV MkIII as the HRLV (Human Rated Launch Vehicle).

• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV MkIII) has a three stage propulsion system.

Background

2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared earlier in 2018 that India will send its first man or woman into space by 2022. Thus initiating ambitious Gaganyaan programme.
2023. The heavy lift launcher, GSLV MkIII’s identification and the process for human rating of GSLV MkIII for India’s historic space mission was completed in 2020.

• But the plans are spoiled due to COVID-19 thus postponing the launch to 2023 through official communication by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha.

Why GSLV is used for Human Mission

Following the successful launch of Chandrayaan Mission-2 by GSLV MkIII into geosynchronous orbit of the

Earth, GSLV is identified as the perfect launch vehicle to take humans into space by ISRO’s venture.

Gaganyaan Programme

1. Envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short-term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run.
2. The objective of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to Lower Earth Orbit (LEO).