Why in news
- ISRO detailed safety mechanisms for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, focusing on the Crew Escape System.
What is the Crew Escape System (CES)?
- Safety architecture designed to pull the Crew Module away from the launch vehicle during abort scenarios on the launchpad or during ascent.
- Utilises a 'puller' engine motor configuration attached above the crew module to ensure rapid distance separation within milliseconds.
Key Operational Details
- Automated detection systems sense vehicle anomalies and trigger solid-fuel abort motors autonomously.
- Tested through ISRO's Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle Abort Missions (TV-D1) to validate aerodynamic stability and deceleration parachutes.
Key terms
Puller Design
An abort system configuration mounted atop a rocket that pulls the crew capsule upward away from an exploding launch vehicle.
Prelims facts
- ISRO's Gaganyaan Crew Escape System employs a high-altitude puller mechanism driven by solid propellant motors.
Source: The Hindu