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.
