Space
SOLVE Ground Test for Gaganyaan
- Context: ISRO successfully carried out the first ground test of the SOLVE solid motor at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
About SOLVE Ground Test
- SOLVE (Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments) is a low-cost sub-orbital test vehicle designed to verify the Gaganyaan crew escape and recovery systems.
- It will carry the Crew Module to an altitude of 10–17 km, after which the module will separate and deploy 10 parachutes for a safe sea landing.
- The vehicle is powered by a modified PSLV strap-on solid booster, featuring slow-burning propellant, a straight nozzle, and Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) for precise flight control.
Gaganyaan Mission
- Gaganyaan is ISRO’s first human spaceflight mission, aimed at proving India’s ability to send humans to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).
Components
- Crew Module: Houses the astronauts.
- Service Module: Supports the crew module using liquid propulsion.
Mission Plan
- Two unmanned missions (G1) & (G2): Two uncrewed test missions.
- G2: Will carry Vyommitra, an ISRO-developed humanoid robot.
- One manned mission (G3): First crewed mission with three Indian astronauts (including a woman) for a 7-day mission in 300–400 km LEO.
- India will become the 4th country to independently launch a human spaceflight mission after the USA, Russia, and China.
- Russia and France are providing technical support for the mission.
Current Facts- The World Bank Group’s Development Data Group, in its 2026–27 Country Income Classifications, has retained India in the Lower-Middle Income category, with a GNI per capita of USD 1,176–4,635.
