The Prime Minister of the country has already mentioned the first independent space operation of India, now his words have been confirmed by the creation of new spacesuits.
Indian news agency News18 has unveiled photographs of the first Indian spacesuit for future space missions. Two copies have already been made, and a third is expected soon.
Independence Day is celebrated in India on 15 August. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unusual statement during the celebrations this year. He said:
“Our country has made great strides in space. But our scientists have a dream. In 2022, when the 75th anniversary of independence approaches, a Hindu - it does not matter whether it is a man or a woman - will go into space with a tricolor flag in his hands."
The mission was named "Gaganyaan". The Prime Minister also noted that for its implementation, the country will need assistance from the United States and Russia. Representatives of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said they expect to achieve the goal by the specified date. Engineers have already developed a GSLV Mk III rocket for future flights and have tested it twice. In July, they tested a bailout system for a passenger module that can hold three people. It is designed to move in the thermosphere - at an altitude of 400 kilometers. Now they have introduced a spacesuit.
According to experts, it consists of four layers and weighs less than five kilograms. The kit includes an oxygen cylinder, which should last for 60 minutes. Two sets are already ready, after the production of the third, tests with the participation of the crew should begin.
Before that, only one Indian flew into space - Rakesh Sharma. He was included in the crew of the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft of the Soviet Interkosmos program. Soyuz T-11 was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in April 1984.
Alexey Evglevsky
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