The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun assembling the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight. The announcement coincides with ISRO’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X Crew Module Atmospheric Re-Entry.
On Wednesday at 8:45 am, ISRO stacked the nozzle-end segment of the S200 motor with a full flex seal nozzle at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). This marked the start of the official launch campaign for the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission. ISRO will now work on assembling the S200 motors, control systems, and avionics.
Crew escape systems have arrived at SDSC. The crew module is being integrated at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), while the service module is being assembled at UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). Orbital Module (OM) integration and testing will follow at URSC.
ISRO’s release recalled a milestone from December 18. On that day, the Indian Coast Guard recovered the crew module from the Bay of Bengal. The same day, LVM3-X’s maiden flight lifted a 3,775 kg crew module to a suborbital altitude of 126 km, ensuring safe re-entry using thrusters.
