SYLLABUS
GS-3: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.
Context: ISRO successfully conducted the first ground test of the SOLVE (Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments) solid motor recently, marking an important milestone in the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme.
More on the News
- The test was conducted at the Static Test Facility of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, and all motor performance parameters met the expected objectives.
- SOLVE is being developed primarily for conducting Integrated Parachute Tests (IPTs) to validate the Crew Module’s deceleration and recovery systems under realistic mission conditions.
- Future SOLVE missions will carry a Gaganyaan Crew Module to an altitude of 10–17 km, enabling end-to-end validation of the parachute recovery sequence before splashdown in the sea.
- ISRO highlighted that the development of SOLVE will provide greater flexibility in conducting Gaganyaan test missions by simulating different conditions that may arise during an actual human spaceflight mission.
About SOLVE
- SOLVE (Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments) is a solid motor-based sub-orbital test vehicle being developed by ISRO to support technology validation for the Gaganyaan programme.
- The vehicle is powered by a solid motor derived from the PSOM-XL strap-on motor used in PSLV missions, adapted for sub-orbital experimental testing.
- It has been conceived primarily for Integrated Parachute Tests, which are critical for validating the Crew Module’s deceleration and recovery systems before crewed missions.
- During test flights, the Crew Module will be released at a designated altitude and recovered through a carefully sequenced parachute deployment system, closely replicating actual recovery conditions.
- SOLVE provides a dedicated and flexible experimental platform for repeated validation of critical recovery technologies without requiring a full-scale orbital mission.
- Significance for Gaganyaan
- Safe descent and splashdown constitute one of the most critical phases of a human spaceflight mission; SOLVE will help validate the systems responsible for the safe return of astronauts.
- By enabling repeated tests under varied mission scenarios, SOLVE will reduce mission risks and enhance the reliability of future crewed Gaganyaan missions.
About the Gaganyaan Mission
- Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight programme aimed at demonstrating the capability to send a crew of three astronauts to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of about 400 km for a mission of three days and bring them back safely through splashdown in Indian waters.
- The programme involves a series of uncrewed qualification missions, abort tests and technology demonstrations before the eventual crewed mission.
- Its major components include:
- Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3) launch vehicle;
- Crew Module (CM) for astronaut habitation;
- Service Module (SM) for propulsion and mission support;
- Crew Escape System (CES) for emergency crew evacuation.
- Successful completion of Gaganyaan will make India the fourth country, after the United States, Russia and China, to independently demonstrate human spaceflight capability.
- The programme is also expected to provide the technological foundation for future initiatives such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and long-duration human spaceflight missions.
Major Milestones Achieved So Far
- Test Vehicle Demonstration Mission (TV-D1), 2023: Successfully validated the Crew Escape System through an in-flight abort test, demonstrating astronaut escape capabilities during launch emergencies.
- Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01), 2025: Validated the parachute-based deceleration and recovery system of the Gaganyaan Crew Module under realistic operational conditions.
- Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests (IMAT Series), 2025: A series of qualification tests successfully validated the main parachute system of the Crew Module.
- Drogue Parachute Qualification Tests, 2025: Successfully demonstrated the performance of drogue parachutes that form a critical part of the Crew Module’s deceleration system.
- Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02), 2026: A 5.7-tonne simulated Crew Module was successfully recovered after deployment of 10 parachutes, validating the complete parachute-based recovery architecture.
- First SOLVE Ground Test, 2026: ISRO successfully completed the first ground test of the SOLVE solid motor, paving the way for future Integrated Parachute Test missions.