Engineering:Test Vehicle Abort Mission-2

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Test Vehicle Abort Mission-2
File:TVD1-Brochure elements 23.png
Simulated TV-D model
NamesTest Vehicle Abort Mission-2
TV-D2
Mission typeIn-flight abort test
OperatorISRO
Mission duration~20 minutes
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGaganyaan boilerplate
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
DimensionsLength: 34.954 m Diameter: 2.1 m (stage) , 4.05 m (CES)
Start of mission
Launch dateQ4 2026
RocketGaganyaan Abort Test Booster (modified GSLV L40 stage)
Launch siteFirst Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre
End of mission
Landing siteBay of Bengal
← TV-D1
TV-D3 →
 


Test Vehicle Abort Mission-2 (TV-D2) will be a high altitude abort test of the Gaganyaan program, planned to be held in late-2026. India is the fourth country, after Russia, the United States, and China, to have previously tested this technology.[1]

Background

In April 2022, it was proposed that demonstration missions for in-flight aborts of the Gaganyaan crew capsule should be tested with a depressurized crew module. [2] On 10 August 2022 ISRO performed a successful static test of the Crew Escape System (CES). On 21st October 2023, ISRO conducted the TV-D1 as the first development flight for the Gaganyaan program.[3][4][5]

The TV-D2 test flight is scheduled to launch in Q4 2026. The crew escape mechanism will use low and high altitude escape motors, while the crew module control systems will mimic the crew seat, suspension, and uprighting systems. The mission will be uncrewed and used to test flight abort parameters. The Crew Escape System (CES) in-flight abort system will be used at Mach 1.4. The L40 stage will be shut down at Mach 1.9 and the Crew module will commence an abort at Mach 1.6,followed by vehicle Reaction Control Systems firing to reorientation, parachute deployment as in nominal re-entry mission leading to safe CM touchdown and recovery.[6] Like TV-D1, TV-D2 will use a modified L40 stage from GSLV as its booster rocket. [6]The Booster and boilerplate module have been built by May 2026. Gaganyaan-1, the first orbital test flight, is planned to take after this flight.

Mission objectives

  • Flight demonstration and evaluation of the test vehicle subsystems
  • Flight demonstration and evaluation of the CES, including various separation systems
  • Crew Module characteristics and demonstration of deceleration systems at higher altitude and its recovery

See also

References