In a significant step towards realizing India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Navy have accomplished successful ‘well deck’ recovery trials. The announcement came from ISRO, detailing that the trials took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam on December 6, conducted by the Eastern Naval Command. The successful execution of these trials is deemed crucial for the safe recovery of astronauts after their expected three-day mission in orbit around the Earth.

The technique utilized in these trials is vital for ensuring the crew’s prompt and comfortable recovery upon their return. According to ISRO, once the Crew Module (CM) lands in the sea at the mission’s conclusion, it is essential to recover the crew swiftly. A well deck, which is a compartment on the ship designed to be flooded, allows for the safe docking of boats, landing crafts, or in this case, a spacecraft.

ISRO elaborated that among the preferred methods for recovery involves towing the module, with the astronauts inside, into the ship’s well deck. This would facilitate a comfortable exit for the crew from the Crew Module. The trials employed a mock-up of the Crew Module that simulated its mass and shape, focusing on several key operational aspects. This included the attachment of a recovery buoy, towing the module, positioning it within the ship’s well deck, and subsequently draining the compartment.

These comprehensive trials provided invaluable insights into the operational roles of the teams involved, validating the entire sequence of operations, ground fixtures, and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). ISRO confirmed that the exercise had successfully validated these procedures and will serve as a foundation to fine-tune the SOPs for both standard and emergency recovery scenarios.

The recent trials are part of a broader series of exercises aimed at finalizing protocols for recovery in various conditions. Earlier this year, in May 2023, ISRO and the Indian Navy had introduced their recovery training strategy at the Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) located at INS Garuda in Kochi. This collaborative effort reinforces the commitment of both organizations to the Gaganyaan mission, which represents a significant milestone in India’s space exploration ambitions.