Exclusive: ISRO to emphasize on Mfg process, make minor tweaks on GSLV for Gaganyaan

Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV Mk3.

Chennai: According to top officials, the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) will be making only minor tweaks to its heavy-lifter rocket GSLV Mk3, as the agency gears up for Human Spaceflight missions. These changes on its most advanced rocket are meant to improve its reliability for undertaking the daunting task of lifting a human-carrying spacecraft to orbit. Additional emphasis would also be paid to the manufacturing process of the rocket and its components.    ISRO is working towards performing two unmanned flights of Gaganyaan, in order to test and certify its systems, before the actual Human Spaceflight. Mandatory testing and qualifications apart, ISRO would also be launching two satellites that are meant to provide communications support for its human-carrying spacecraft. Known as IDRSS(Indian Data Relay System Satellites), they would be placed nearly 36,000km above the equator(where it would remain in sync with the earth’s rotation or at a constant position when seen from earth) and will offer near-total tracking and communication with India’s space assets. It must be noted that a constellation of 3 satellites positioned in the 36,000km orbit can offer real-time, 24/7 monitoring of almost the entire earth.