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Space agencies of India and France on Thursday signed an agreement for cooperation for the country's first human space mission Gaganyaan, the French space agency <keyword id="680335" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="CNES">CNES</keyword> said. The agreement was announced during French Foreign Affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visit to the <keyword id="116095" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword>'s (<keyword id="6358064" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro">ISRO</keyword>) headquarters. ISRO has asked CNES to help prepare for Gaganyaan missions and to serve as its single European contact in this domain. "Under the terms of the agreement, CNES will train India's flight physicians and CAPCOM mission control teams in France at the CADMOS centre for the development of microgravity applications and space operations at CNES in Toulouse and at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany," the CNES said. The agreement provides for the CNES to support implementation of a scientific experiment plan on validation missions, exchange information on food packaging and the nutrition programme, and above all the use by Indian astronauts of French equipment, consumables and medical instruments. French equipment developed by CNES, tested and still operating aboard the <keyword id="6382020" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-space-station">International Space Station</keyword> (ISS) will thus be made available to Indian crews. Thomas Pesquet, who is set to make his second flight to the International Space Station on April 22 for the <keyword id="175327" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alpha">Alpha</keyword> mission, had previously tested these devices on his first spaceflight. The CNES will also be supplying fireproof carry bags made in France to shield equipment from shocks and radiation, it said. "This cooperation could be extended in the future to parabolic flights operated by Novespace to test instruments and for astronaut training, as well as technical support for construction of an astronaut training centre in Bangalore," the CNES added. The Gaganyaan orbital spacecraft project was kicked off in August 2018. It originally intended to send astronauts from Indian soil to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence in 2022. However, the mission has been delayed due to the restrictions imposed in view of the coronavirus pandemic. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/macrotech-developers-ipo-check-share-allotment-date-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/82078222.cms">Macrotech Developers IPO — check share allotment date, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/coinbase-climbs-13-in-trading-debut-as-valuation-hovers-around-100-billion/articleshow/82072134.cms">Coinbase tumbles 19% in trading debut as valuation hovers around $100 billion</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/flipkart-acquires-cleartrip-in-an-effort-to-cement-its-position-in-the-travel-booking-segment/articleshow/82081931.cms">Flipkart acquires Cleartrip in an effort to cement its position in the travel booking segment</a>

ISRO partners with France to launch India's first human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan

<ul><li>ISRO plans to get its own space station off the ground in the next five to seven years. </li><li>Its latest mission will hinge on the success of its human spaceflight. </li><li>India’s own space station can allow microgravity experiments, paving the way for manufacturing innovation. </li></ul> Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) human spaceflight mission is yet to take off the ground, and the agency already preparing for its next big project — setting up India’s own space station in Earth’s orbit. India’s apex space agency did not divulge too many details about the project but said that they plan to get it off the ground in the next five to seven years. “It will be a smaller module, which would be mainly used to carry out microgravity experiments,” said K. Sivan, ISRO Chairman. This is the next ambitious project of ISRO which already has a human spaceflight mission in the works, to be completed by 2022. And, its latest mission will hinge on the success of human spaceflight. “The preparations are underway but we hope to take the project ahead only after the successful completion of <keyword id="6797456" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaganyaan">Gaganyaan</keyword> in 2022,” Sivan said. In a microgravity environment India’s own space station can allow astronauts and scientists from the country to carry out experiments, which can help make strides in manufacturing innovation. Gravity governs all movement in the universe. It keeps the moon orbiting around Earth and the Earth around the Sun. In space, gravity does not disappear altogether. In fact, it’s what keeps space stations and satellites in orbit. Microgravity, on the other hand, is free falling in space. Unlike the common belief that objects float because of the lack of gravity, objects actually float because they’re technically free falling at the same rate at their spacecraft. In the state of free fall, or microgravity, objects are said to weightless. Scientists have been using microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) to develop new materials and unearth previously unknown physical and chemical phenomena. It can pave away for new manufacturing techniques and materials. The many benefits of microgravity There are four benefits in carrying out experiments in a microgravity environment. One, is the absence of buoyancy and sedimentation which basically means that material can disperse evenly. On Earth, heavier substances sink and lighter ones float. The second benefit is the absence of convection — there is no longer any difference in relative densities when matter is heated. Hydrostatic pressure is also absent in microgravity, making it easier to work with soft material. And, the most obvious benefit is the fact that liquids can float — without a container — which reduces the likelihood of contamination, increasing the likelihood of discovering new methods of manufacturing. Over the next few years ISRO also has missions to Venus and the Sun planned. "Not just Sun and Moon, we hope to reach other planets, like Venus," said Sivan. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayan-2-lunar-mission-to-launch-in-july-by-isro/articleshow/69139095.cms">India’s second lunar mission pegged to launch in July</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-is-to-trying-to-beat-elon-musks-spacex-success/articleshow/67550362.cms">India’s apex space agency is following Elon Musk's idea — and taking it a step forward</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-nasa-just-spotted-a-black-hole-spinning-so-fast-that-it-could-be-making-space-itself-rotate/articleshow/66416605.cms">ISRO, NASA just spotted a black hole spinning so fast that it could be making space itself rotate</a>

India wants to set up its own space station to carry out experiments in microgravity

Even before orbiting astronauts on India's first manned mission to the space in December 2021, the Indian Space Research Organisation will send 'Vyomamitra', a '<keyword id="7617165" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lady-robot">lady robot</keyword>', in unmanned <keyword id="6797456" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaganyaan">Gaganyaan</keyword> spacecraft. The robot was the centre of attraction at the inaugural session of the "<keyword id="1064783" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-spaceflight">Human Spaceflight</keyword> and Exploration - Present Challenges and Future Trends" here on Wednesday. Vyomamitra, a combination of two Sanskrit words Vyoma (Space) and Mitra (Friend), took everyone by surprise when she introduced herself to the audience gathered there. "Hello everyone. I am Vyomamitra, the prototype of the half-humanoid, been made for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission," the robot said. Explaining about the role in the mission, she said, "I can monitor though module parameters, alert you and perform life support operations. I can perform activities like switch panel operations..." The robot said she can also be a companion and converse with the astronauts, recognise them and can also respond to their queries. ISRO chairman K Sivan told reporters the humanoid will simulate human functions in space and also interact with the environment control life support system. "It will be simulating exactly the human functions there (in space). It will check whether the system is right. This will be very useful to simulate, as if a human is flying," said Sivan. Earlier, addressing the inaugural function, Sivan said ahead of the launch of India's maiden human spaceflight venture 'Gaganyaan' in December 2021, ISRO will undertake two unmanned missions in December 2020 and June 2021. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isros-gsat-30-satellite-successfully-rides-the-ariane-5-rocket-into-orbit-abroad-the-first-launch-of-2020/articleshow/73312278.cms">ISRO's GSAT 30 satellite successfully rides the Ariane 5 rocket into orbit abroad the first launch of 2020</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2020-isro-needs-rs-666-cr-for-chandrayaan-3/articleshow/73462546.cms">Exploring space is expensive — and ISRO needs more money from the 2020 Union Budget</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/chandrayaan-3-and-gaganyaan-top-priorities-for-isro-in-2020/articleshow/73063629.cms">India's second mission to land on the Moon, Chandrayaan 3, confirmed by ISRO chief</a>

ISRO's humanoid lady robot will fly into space before they send astronauts out on Gaganyaan

Ahead of the launch of India's maiden human spaceflight venture '<keyword id="6797456" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaganyaan">Gaganyaan</keyword>' in December 2021, the Indian Space Research Organisation will undertake two unmanned missions in December 2020 and June 2021, ISRO chairman K Sivan said on Wednesday. Addressing the inaugural session of a symposium on "Human Spaceflight and Exploration - Present Challenges and Future Trends," Sivan said the Gaganyaan mission not only aims at India's maiden human flight to the space but also setting up a new space station for 'continuous space human presence'. "We are doing all this (Gaganyaan) on three points - short term plan of two unmanned mission in December 2020 and June 2021, followed by human space flight demonstration in December 2021. We have the mid term goal of sustaining the human space programme and continuous space human presence in space on a new space station", he said. In this regard, the ISRO has initiated a full-fledged astronaut training facility in close proximity to Bengaluru for meeting its future requirements. The space agency is also in talks with NASA and other space agencies and industries on how it can collaborate on human space flight and learn from their experience. The Gaganyaan will also assist in ISRO's long term goal of inter-planetary mission. "Inter-planetary mission is also on the agenda in the long term," the ISRO Chief said. On Gaganyaan mission, Sivan said the space agency has already developed and demonstrated key technologies such as having an operational launcher with 10-tonne playload capability to lower orbit, demonstration ofmission design and management, and recovery system like space qualified parachutes. "The only missing element were human life science and life support system, which we are developing now," he said. ISRO, Sivan said, has taken onboard many national labs, academic institutions, DRDO labs, Indian Air Force, CSIR Labas well as many industries as stakeholders for Gaganyaanprogramme. Noting that the astronauts have been selected from a pool of Indian Air Force test pilots, Sivan said the generic space flight training will commence in India shortly. A mission specific training will be carried out in India using a host of simulators and other facilities, he added. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2020-isro-needs-rs-666-cr-for-chandrayaan-3/articleshow/73462546.cms">Exploring space is expensive — and ISRO needs more money from the 2020 Union Budget</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/chandrayaan-3-and-gaganyaan-top-priorities-for-isro-in-2020/articleshow/73063629.cms">India's second mission to land on the Moon, Chandrayaan 3, confirmed by ISRO chief</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/madhavans-rocketry-isro-spy-case-nambi-narayan-gets-1-3-compensation/articleshow/72991747.cms">An Indian rocket scientist lost 25 years falsely accused of being a spy— now he will get $180,000 as compensation</a>

ISRO will send two unmmaned missions into space before Gaganyaan

<keyword id="6360701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="Orion">SpaceX</keyword> engineer <keyword id="12690875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anna-Menon" source="Orion">Anna Menon</keyword> will be among the crew of a unique space mission announced on Monday by US billionaire <keyword id="10689976" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jared-Isaacman" source="Orion">Jared Isaacman</keyword>, who had commanded a human spaceflight mission last year. <keyword id="17256" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="menon" source="Orion">Menon</keyword> is a Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, where she manages the development of crew operations and serves in mission control as both a Mission Director and crew communicator, a SpaceX release said. Isaacman, the founder and CEO of American payment processing company Shift4, who had commanded the Inspiration4 mission, announced the Polaris Programme, a first-of-its-kind effort to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities, while continuing to raise funds and awareness for important causes here on Earth. The programme will consist of up to three human spaceflight missions that will demonstrate new technologies, conduct extensive research, and ultimately culminate in the first flight of SpaceX's Starship with humans on board. The first mission is named <keyword id="13176218" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Polaris-Dawn" source="Orion">Polaris Dawn</keyword>, which is targeted to launch no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2022 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Polaris Dawn mission has many first-time objectives, so the Polaris Programme chose a crew of experts who know each other well and have a foundation of trust they can build upon as they undergo the challenges of this mission. Menon is Mission Specialist and Medical Officer. In addition to Isaacman, the crew includes Menon, a veteran member of Isaacman's team Scott Poteet and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis. During her tenure at SpaceX, Menon has led the implementation of Dragon's crew capabilities, helped create the crew communicator operator role, and developed critical operational responses to vehicle emergencies, such as a fire or cabin depressurisation. Anna served in mission control during multiple cargo and crew Dragon missions, including Demo-2, Crew-1, CRS-22, and CRS-23. Prior to SpaceX, she worked for seven years at NASA as a biomedical flight controller for the International Space Station. She is the wife of Indian-origin physician Anil Menon, a lieutenant colonel at the US Air Force, who was selected by NASA in December last year along with nine others to be astronauts for future missions. Anil Menon, 45, was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ukrainian and Indian immigrants. He was SpaceX's first flight surgeon, helping to launch the company's first humans to space during NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission and building a medical organisation to support the human system during future missions. He previously served NASA as the crew flight surgeon for various expeditions taking astronauts to the International Space Station. SpaceX said the Dragon mission will take advantage of Falcon 9 and Dragon's maximum performance, flying higher than any Dragon mission to date and endeavouring to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown. Dragon and the Polaris Dawn crew will spend up to five days in orbit, during which the crew will attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk, conduct scientific research designed to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights, and be the first crew to test Starlink laser-based communications in space, providing valuable data for future space communications systems necessary for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the company said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/okinawa-autotech-opens-second-plant-in-india-to-manufacture-10-lakh-evs-per-year-by-2024/articleshow/89583160.cms">Okinawa Autotech opens second plant in India, to manufacture 10 lakh EVs per year by 2024</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/foldable-smartphone-shipments-to-exceed-30-million-in-2024-globally-canalys/articleshow/89583294.cms">Foldable smartphone shipments to exceed 30 million in 2024 globally: Canalys</a>

SpaceX engineer Anna Menon to be among crew of new space mission by Jared Isaacman

Washington, June 13 (IANS) The US space agency has selected new head for its human spaceflight mission as it successfully sent two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the US soil, and now aims to land humans on the Moon by 2024. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has selected Commercial Crew Program Manager Kathy Lueders to be the agency's next associate administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. Since 2014, Lueders has directed NASA's efforts to send astronauts to space on private spacecraft, which culminated in the successful launch of Demo-2 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30. "Lueders gives us the extraordinary experience and passion we need to continue to move forward with Artemis and our goal of landing the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024," Bridenstine said in a statement late Friday. Steve Stich has been named Commercial Crew Programme Manager. Lueders began her NASA career in 1992 at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. She later moved to the International Space Station (ISS) programme and served as transportation integration manager, where she led commercial cargo resupply services to the space station. "She has a deep interest in developing commercial markets in space, dating back to her initial work on the space shuttle programme. From Commercial Cargo and now Commercial Crew, she has safely and successfully helped push to expand our nation's industrial base," said Bridenstine. Marking the beginning of a new era in the US space programme, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on May 31. This was the first-ever crewed mission for Elon Musk-run SpaceX. This was also the first crewed launch from the US after the government retired the space shuttle programme in 2011. --IANS na/

NASA selects new head of human spaceflight mission

Indian Space Research Organisation (<keyword id="6358064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO" source="Orion">ISRO</keyword>) successfully executed the <keyword id="19218514" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Test-Flight-Abort-Mission" source="Orion">Test Flight Abort Mission</keyword>, for the <keyword id="6797456" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gaganyaan" source="Orion">Gaganyaan</keyword> mission on Saturday after the first test flight was aborted at 8:45 am due to a problem in the engine ignition. Earlier today, ISRO briefly aborted the launch of the first uncrewed test flight (TV-D1 Flight Test) in the Gaganyaan Mission. The space agency then said that the errors have been identified and corrected and the second launch was scheduled for 10:00 Hrs today. This Flight test vehicle Abort mission is conducted to demonstrate the performance of the Crew escape system as part of the Gaganyaan mission. The mission objectives of the TV-D1 launch are: Flight demonstration and evaluation of Test Vehicle subsystems; flight demonstration and evaluation of Crew Escape System including various separation systems; crew module characteristics; and deceleration system demonstration at higher altitudes and its recovery. The Test Vehicle is a single-stage liquid rocket developed for this abort mission. The payloads consist of the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES) with their fast-acting solid motors, along with CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters. This flight simulated the abort condition during the ascent trajectory corresponding to a Mach number of 1.2 encountered in the Gaganyaan mission. This mission represents a significant milestone in India's effort to demonstrate that it is possible to send humans into space. The Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members into an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them safely back to earth by landing in Indian waters. This programme will make India the fourth nation to launch a manned spaceflight mission after the US, Russia, and China. Building on the success of the Indian space initiatives, including the recent Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals, including setting up 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-open-vs-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5-battle-of-the-foldable-smartphones/slidelist/104581006.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-open-vs-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5-battle-of-the-foldable-smartphones/slidelist/104581006.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus Open vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – battle of the foldable smartphones</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-pay-everything-you-need-to-know-about-googles-new-credit-offerings/articleshow/104573817.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-pay-everything-you-need-to-know-about-googles-new-credit-offerings/articleshow/104573817.cms" target="_blank">Google for India – Sachet loans to credit on UPI, tech giant bets on lending</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-open-foldable-launched-in-india-as-an-affordable-alternative-to-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5/articleshow/104560947.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-open-foldable-launched-in-india-as-an-affordable-alternative-to-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5/articleshow/104560947.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus Open foldable launched in India as an 'affordable' alternative to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5</a>

ISRO successfully launches Test Flight Abort Mission for project Gaganyaan

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-could-help-clean-up-space-junk-in-orbit-2020-11">SpaceX</a> is set to send four <keyword id="73998" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="astronauts">astronauts</keyword> into space on Saturday, launching them on its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-delayed-nasa-launch-red-nail-polish-blocking-rocket-engines-2020-10">Falcon 9 rocket</a>, then flying them to the space station aboard its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-upgraded-crew-dragon-spaceship-for-next-nasa-astronaut-mission-2020-9">Crew Dragon spaceship</a>.</li><li><keyword id="6360409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nasa">NASA</keyword> certified that whole system for <keyword id="1064783" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="human-spaceflight">human spaceflight</keyword> on Tuesday, making <keyword id="3150656" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="crew-dragon">Crew Dragon</keyword> the first commercial spacecraft ever to receive the designation.</li></ul><keyword id="6360701" type="DEFINITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="spacex">SpaceX</keyword> is about to launch four astronauts in the first human-rated commercial spacecraft.This won't be SpaceX's first human mission. The NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley climbed aboard the company's Crew Dragon <keyword id="447643" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="spaceship">spaceship</keyword> this summer, rocketed into Earth's orbit, and docked to the International Space Station. After two months of living and working at the space station, they climbed back into the Crew Dragon, screamed through the atmosphere, and safely parachuted back to Earth.But that whole mission was considered a demo — a critical step for gaining NASA's human-spaceflight certification.On Tuesday, NASA announced it had finally certified SpaceX's whole launch system for human spaceflight.That decision was the result of the agency's flight-readiness review, in which experts and officials spent two days reviewing SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the Crew Dragon spaceship, the software, and mission operations.The certification came just days before SpaceX's next planned astronaut launch, which is scheduled for Saturday. The company has already perched a new Crew Dragon on the rocket in preparation for that mission, its longest and most critical yet. Called <keyword id="9717263" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="crew-1">Crew-1</keyword>, the round-trip mission to the space station is the first of six that Elon Musk's rocket company has contracted with NASA.<div type="image" title="spacex crew1" height="2560" width="3413" msid="79162155" hostid="261"></div>"People tend to think it's just the spacecraft, but it's the spacecraft, it's the launch vehicle, it's all the processing on the ground, it's how you do your mission operations. All that will safely fly our crew up to the International Space Station and back and then recover," Kathy Lueders, who leads NASA's human-spaceflight program, said in a Tuesday press briefing. "You've shown us the data, and we trust you to do that. It's a big trust factor here."If weather permits, SpaceX's Falcon 9 will launch the Crew Dragon into space on Saturday at 7:49 p.m. ET. On board will be astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi. They should dock to the space station eight and a half hours later, where they will stay for about six months, marking the longest human spaceflight in US history.When it's time to come home, the astronauts will climb back into the Crew Dragon, which will remain attached to the space station during their stay, then weather a fiery fall through Earth's atmosphere."The crew's lives are in our hands — very important responsibility," Lueders said.<div type="image" title="spacex crew dragon spaceship demo1 demo 1 parachutes splash down splashdown atlantic ocean cape canaveral florida nasa KSC 20190308 PH_CSH01_0192_orig" height="1259" width="1679" msid="79162157" hostid="261"></div>This is the first time NASA has certified a human-flight system since the Space Shuttle Program began nearly 40 years ago. The decision was the culmination of 10 years of development and testing funded through NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which was created to restore the US's human-spaceflight capabilities through commercial partnerships. The government has spent more than $6 billion on that effort, according to <a href="https://www.planetary.org/articles/nasas-commercial-crew-is-a-great-deal-for-the-agency">The Planetary Society</a>. The program may finally realize its goal with Saturday's launch.<div type="image" title="elon musk happy.JPG" height="1598" width="2130" msid="79162159" hostid="261"></div>"Thank you to NASA for their continued support of SpaceX and partnership in achieving this goal," Musk said in a <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-and-spacex-complete-certification-of-first-human-rated-commercial-space-system">press release</a>. "I could not be more proud of everyone at SpaceX and all of our suppliers who worked incredibly hard to develop, test, and fly the first commercial human spaceflight system in history to be certified by NASA. This is a great honor that inspires confidence in our endeavor to return to the moon, travel to Mars, and ultimately help humanity become multi-planetary."

NASA finally certified SpaceX to fly astronauts on its Crew Dragon spaceship, just days before its next launch

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Doug Loverro, who led <keyword id="6360409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nasa">NASA</keyword>'s <keyword id="1064783" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="human-spaceflight">human spaceflight</keyword> division, has resigned after just six months on the job.</li><li>Loverro quit just a week before <keyword id="6360701" type="DEFINITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="spacex">SpaceX</keyword> is scheduled to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launch-crew-dragon-nasa-astronauts-demo2-mission-timeline-2020-5">launch its first passengers</a> — two NASA astronauts — on a mission called <keyword id="9071626" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="demo-2">Demo-2</keyword>.</li><li>In an email to NASA employees, Loverro referenced an unspecified "mistake" in risk-taking that led to his resignation.</li><li>Ars Technica <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/05/nasas-human-spaceflight-chief-just-resigned-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> the mistake is "not related" to SpaceX's first crewed mission, but rather NASA's controversial lunar exploration program, called Artemis.</li><li>An industry veteran told Business Insider that NASA's interim replacement "has the experience and judgement to shepherd human spaceflight through the coming weeks."</li></ul>In a shock to the rocket-and-spaceship industry, NASA's human spaceflight chief abruptly resigned on Monday.The departure of Doug Loverro, a former member of the Department of Defense's <a href="https://archive.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senior Executive Service,</a> who took command of NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate on December 2, comes at a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-spacex-astronaut-rocket-launch-demo2-mission-essential-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-5">critical time for the US space agency</a>.On <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-spacex-astronaut-launch-date-time-commercial-crew-dragon-4">May 27</a>, SpaceX is scheduled to launch its first passengers — NASA astronauts <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-astronaut-best-thing-about-spacex-rocket-launch-crew-dragon-2020-5">Bob Behnken</a> and Doug Hurley — on a roughly three-month mission to space called Demo-2. The test flight is designed to show NASA that SpaceX, the rocket company Elon Musk founded 18 years ago, can safely launch people into orbit aboard a Crew Dragon spaceship, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-spaceship-docking-video-game-simulator-international-space-station-2020-5">dock with the International Space Station</a>, and return the crew to Earth.NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine previously described Loverro as "a respected strategic leader" who was to help execute the space agency's Commercial Crew Program, which Demo-2 is a part of. He also managed an ambitious <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apollo-astronauts-react-nasa-trump-2024-moon-landing-plan-2019-6">and controversial</a> plan to land humans back on the moon in 2024, called <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-artemis-moon-base-apollo-space-rocket-sls-2019-9">Artemis</a>."He is known for his strong, bipartisan work and his experience with large programs will be of great benefit to NASA at this critical time in our final development of human spaceflight systems for both Commercial Crew and Artemis," Bridenstine said in <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-administrator-selects-douglas-loverro-as-next-human-spaceflight-head" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an October 16 announcement</a> of Loverro's hiring.SpaceRef published <a href="http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=53668" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an all-hands email</a> that Loverro sent to NASA's human exploration division on Tuesday, the day after he officially resigned."The risks we take, whether technical, political, or personal, all have potential consequences if we judge them incorrectly. I took such a risk earlier in the year because I judged it necessary to fulfill our mission," Loverro wrote mid-way through his email. "Now, over the balance of time, it is clear that I made a mistake in that choice for which I alone must bear the consequences. And therefore, it is with a very, very heavy heart that I write to you today to let you know that I have resigned from NASA effective May 18th, 2020."He told his colleagues that he left "because of my personal actions, not anything we have accomplished together."<h2>A former astronaut will carry the torch through Demo-2</h2><div type="image" title="spacex crew dragon spaceship capsule docking international space station iss commercial crew program ccp nasa KSC 20190225 PH_SPX01_0001_orig" height="1593" width="2124" msid="75837807" hostid="261"></div>Loverro did not specify the nature of his perceived mistake.However, Eric Berger, the senior space editor at Ars Technica, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/05/nasas-human-spaceflight-chief-just-resigned-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the apparent folly was "not related to Crew Dragon," which is the spaceship that's about to launch Behnken and Hurley. Rather, Berger said the mistake "seems to stem from" Loverro's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">selection</a> of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Dynetics for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-spacex-blue-origin-design-lunar-landers-2020-5">nearly $1 billion worth of lunar lander contracts</a> for the Artemis program. (The agency is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-requests-35-billion-budget-increase-for-moon-landing-mission-2020-2">struggling</a> for resources to execute the program.)A spokesperson at NASA declined to comment on the matter.Loverro's departure comes less than a year after the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-shake-up-in-new-race-to-the-moon-2019-7">July demotion</a> of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/gerstenmaier_bio.html">Bill Gerstenmaier</a>, who led NASA's human spaceflight division for nearly 15 years. Ken Bowersox, a former astronaut and the deputy associate administrator for NASA's human spaceflight division, is filling in for Loverro's role as he did following Gerstenmaier's departure.Wayne Hale, an aerospace engineering consultant and retired NASA space shuttle program manager and flight director, says he was "surprised as anyone" to learn of Loverro's apparent ouster. But he did not express doubt about the agency's current position with Bowersox at the helm."I have great confidence in Ken Bowersox," Hale told Business Insider in a message, adding that he "has the experience and judgment to shepherd human spaceflight through the coming weeks."Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-human-spaceflight-head-douglas-loverro-leaves-spacex-demo2-mission-2020-5">Business Insider</a>

NASA's human spaceflight chief has resigned a week before SpaceX is supposed to launch its first astronauts for the agency

The Indian Space Research Organisation, commonly referred to as <keyword id="6358064" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="isro" source="Orion">ISRO</keyword>, has successfully carried out two more tests as part of plans to further validate and refine the performance of the propulsion system that would be used to launch India's first human spaceflight mission, <keyword id="6797456" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gaganyaan" source="Orion">Gaganyaan</keyword>. The "hot tests" on Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) were conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. The Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters, according to ISRO. "These tests will further validate and refine the performance of the propulsion system, ensuring its readiness for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission," it said. "These tests (carried out on July 26) marked the second and third hot tests in the Service Module - System Demonstration model (SM-SDM) phase 2 test series. The first hot test was conducted on July 19, 2023," the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said in a statement. ISRO said three more hot tests are scheduled, to demonstrate de-boosting requirements and off-nominal mission scenarios. The SMPS is designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion System Centre located at Bengaluru and Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram. During the tests on Wednesday, the thrusters were operated in both continuous and pulse mode, in sync with the mission profile. The initial hot test which lasted for 723.6 seconds focused on demonstrating Orbital Module injection and the calibration burn of 100 Newton thrusters and Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines. "The calibration burn was essential to identify and isolate any non-operational engines. The <keyword id="18165981" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lam-engines" source="Orion">LAM engines</keyword> and reaction control system (RCS) Thrusters performed as expected," the statement said. "The latter hot test, with a duration of 350 seconds, aimed to demonstrate the circularisation of the Orbital Module to achieve the final orbit. During this test, the LAM engines operated in continuous mode, while the RCS Thrusters fired in pulse mode," it added.

ISRO successfully conducts propulsion system tests for its first human spaceflight mission

<ul><li>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) claims that India's test of their anti-satellite weapon is a "terrible, terrible thing."</li><li>The head of NASA stated, "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."</li><li>But, most experts feel like since the test was conducted at an altitude of 250kms, it's unlikely to be a threat to the <keyword id="6382020" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-space-station">International Space Station</keyword> (ISS).</li></ul>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has strongly criticised <keyword id="3384000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Shakti">Mission Shakti</keyword>, India's anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon test, saying the debris from the explosion endangers the International Space Station (ISS). According to NASA, the risk of collision of the debris with the International Space Station (ISS) has increased by 44% over the last 10 days. "What we are tracking right now, objects big enough to track — we're talking about 10 centimeters (six inches) or bigger — about 60 pieces have been tracked," Jim Bridenstine, the administrator of NASA said in an announcement to his employees. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station: That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight." auname="Jim Bridenstine, administrator of NASA"></div>

















 This may put India's collaboration with US on <keyword id="7168485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Gaganyaan">Mission Gaganyaan</keyword>, the Indian human spaceflight programme, in jeopardy. Bridentstine and the <keyword id="6358064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro">ISRO</keyword> Chairman, K Sivan, were <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/us-india-collaboration-gaganyaan-manned-space-mission-charles-bolden-1474207-2019-03-09">reportedly</a> in talks about forming a working group to work exclusively on the project. It may also push India towards cementing its <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/russia-commits-full-support-to-indias-first-manned-space-mission-gaganyaan-pm-modi-5388790/">collaboration</a> with Russia for the Gaganyaan mission. India and France was already signed a memorandum of understanding where the French scientists will share their expertise to help the human space project get off the ground. Is there really a threat to the ISS? The United States Air Force (USAF) has also been tracking remnants from India's ASAT test. Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of USAF <a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/03/27/u-s-military-sensors-track-debris-from-indian-anti-satellite-test/">told</a> the Senate Armed Services Committee in the US that, "they are tracking about 270 different objects in the debris field." Adding that the number will only grow as the debris spreads out and their sensors pick up more information. An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-anti-satellite-missile-test-may-have-created-6500-eraser-size-pieces-of-space-junk-near-earth-according-to-a-new-simulation/articleshow/68639583.cms">estimated</a> 6,500 pieces of space debris as expected as a result of Mission Shakti according to a simulation created by Analytical Graphics Inc., an engineering software company that creates models of the space environment around Earth. The Indian government, on the other hand, <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/31179/Frequently_Asked_Questions_on_Mission_Shakti_Indias_AntiSatellite_Missile_test_conducted_on_27_March_2019">claims</a> that their test was specifically conducted in low Earth orbit (LEO) in order to ensure that there is no space debris created. And whatever debris may have been left behind, will eventually decay and fall back onto Earth within the span of a few weeks. Experts like Kumar Abhijeet, member of the International Institute of Space Law, also believe that the debris will most likely dissipate in the atmosphere. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Now, debris also depends on where we’re doing the test. In China’s case, they did it at 800kms — we’ve conducted ours at 300kms. The debris will most likely burn up in the atmosphere. So there is minimum chance of debris being created." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>

















 While China's ASAT test in 2007 might have resulted in the destruction of two Russian satellites due the debris left behind, the test was also conducted at a higher altitude of 850 kilometers. India's test, on the other hand was at an altitude of 300kms. Since it well below the 400 kms threshold, most experts are <a href="http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3686/1">claiming</a> are there is no threat to the ISS especially since the debris from the 2008 test conducted by the US at 250kms dissipated within days. Since then, the Bridenstine has had to resume <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-india-debris/pentagon-says-india-debris-expected-to-burn-up-in-atmosphere-idINKCN1RG22J">cooperation </a>with ISRO after an assessment by the Pentagon revealed that the space debris generated by India's ASAT set would dissipate within a few months and does not pose a threat to human space flight. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-asat-mission-shakti-creates-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">India's test of its anti-satellite weapon may have weakened its fight against dangerous space debris</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-asat-test-marks-time-for-nations-to-make-new-space-treaty/articleshow/68607435.cms">It might be time for ‘space superpowers' to bring in a new space treaty</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">India enters an elite club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space</a>

NASA slams India's anti-satellite test, may pull support from mission Gaganyaan

Washington, May 31 (IANS) As Elon Musk-run SpaceX sent two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) onboard the reusable Falcon 9 rocket, the US space agency on Sunday said the mission is an important step to expand human exploration to deeper space missions. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley was on its way to the orbiting laboratory in the space. "Today a new era in human spaceflight begins as we once again launched American astronauts on American rockets from American soil on their way to the International Space Station, our national lab orbiting Earth," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "The launch of this commercial space system designed for humans is a phenomenal demonstration of American excellence and is an important step on our path to expand human exploration to the Moon and Mars," he said in a statement post-launch. Known as NASA's SpaceX Demo-2, the mission is an end-to-end test flight to validate the SpaceX crew transportation system, including launch, in-orbit, docking and landing operations. This is SpaceX's second spaceflight test of its Crew Dragon and its first test with astronauts aboard, which will pave the way for its certification for regular crew flights to the station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Programme. "This is a dream come true for me and everyone at SpaceX," said Musk, chief engineer at SpaceX. "It is the culmination of an incredible amount of work by the SpaceX team, by NASA and by a number of other partners in the process of making this happen. You can look at this as the results of a hundred thousand people roughly when you add up all the suppliers and everyone working incredibly hard to make this day happen," Musk elaborated. The programme demonstrates NASA's commitment to investing in commercial companies through public-private partnerships and builds on the success of American companies, including SpaceX, already delivering cargo to the space station. "It's difficult to put into words how proud I am of the people who got us here today," said Kathy Lueders, NASA's Commercial Crew Programme manager. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock to the space station at 8 p.m. (India time) on Sunday. After successfully docking, the crew will be welcomed aboard the International Space Station, where they will become members of the Expedition 63 crew, which currently includes NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. The crew will perform tests on Crew Dragon in addition to conducting research and other tasks with the space station crew. The Demo-2 mission is the final major test before NASA's Commercial Crew Program certifies Crew Dragon for operational, long-duration missions to the space station. --IANS na/

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