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🚀 SOLVE: ISRO Successfully Tests Solid Motor for Gaganyaan Mission

 

TNPSC AURA

🚀 SOLVE: ISRO Successfully Tests Solid Motor for Gaganyaan Mission

🔥 Why in News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the first ground test of the SOLVE solid motor at the Static Test Facility, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota. This marks an important milestone in India's Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission.


📌 What is SOLVE?

SOLVE stands for Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments.

It is a specially designed launch vehicle developed by ISRO to test the Crew Module Deceleration System (parachute recovery system) before sending astronauts into space.


🎯 Objectives of SOLVE

  • Validate the parachute recovery system of the Crew Module.
  • Carry the Crew Module to an altitude of 10–17 km.
  • Ensure safe separation and controlled descent.
  • Achieve safe sea splashdown using a 10-parachute recovery system.

🚀 Key Features

FeatureDetails
Full FormSub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments
Developed byISRO
MissionTesting Crew Module recovery
Altitude10–17 km
RecoverySea splashdown
Parachutes10
MotorModified PSLV Strap-on Solid Motor

👨‍🚀 About Gaganyaan Mission

  • India's first human spaceflight mission.
  • Three astronauts will be sent to a 400 km Low Earth Orbit.
  • Mission duration: 3 days.
  • Safe splashdown in Indian waters after completion.
  • Vyommitra, India's indigenous female humanoid robot, will fly before the crewed mission.

📦 Important Components

✅ Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3)

Launch vehicle for astronauts.


✅ Crew Escape System (CES)

Emergency escape mechanism during launch.


✅ Crew Module (CM)

Carries astronauts.

Includes life support systems.


✅ Service Module (SM)

Provides:

  • Propulsion
  • Electrical Power
  • Thermal Control

✅ Life Support System (LSS)

Maintains Earth-like conditions inside the Crew Module.


✅ Recovery System

  • Heat Shield
  • Parachutes
  • Floatation System
  • Sea Recovery

🌟 TNPSC/UPSC Prelims Nuggets

✅ SOLVE = Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments

✅ Gaganyaan = India's First Human Spaceflight Mission

✅ Launch Vehicle = Human Rated LVM3

✅ Humanoid Robot = Vyommitra

✅ Splashdown = Indian Ocean


🌴 TNPSC Special

Remember these ISRO Centres

CentreLocation
Vikram Sarabhai Space CentreThiruvananthapuram
Satish Dhawan Space Centre                        Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
ISRO HeadquartersBengaluru
Liquid Propulsion Systems CentreValiamala & Bengaluru
ISRO Propulsion ComplexMahendragiri, Tamil Nadu

💡 Exam Tip: Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu) is frequently asked in TNPSC examinations.


📝 UPSC Mains Practice

Q. Discuss the significance of the Gaganyaan Mission in advancing India's space capabilities and strategic interests.

(Answer in 150 words.)


❓ Practice MCQs

1. SOLVE stands for

A) Space Orbital Launch Vehicle for Exploration

B) Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments

C) Satellite Orbital Launch Vehicle for Evaluation

D) Space Operations Launch Vehicle Experiment

Answer: ✅ B


2. SOLVE is associated with

A) Chandrayaan-4

B) Gaganyaan Mission

C) Aditya-L1

D) SPADEX

Answer: ✅ B


3. Gaganyaan aims to place astronauts in

A) Geostationary Orbit

B) Medium Earth Orbit

C) Low Earth Orbit

D) Polar Orbit

Answer: ✅ C


4. Vyommitra is

A) A launch vehicle

B) A communication satellite

C) A female humanoid robot

D) A space station

Answer: ✅ C


5. The ground test of SOLVE was conducted at

A) VSSC

B) SDSC-SHAR

C) ISRO HQ

D) LPSC

Answer: ✅ B


📚 One-Minute Revision

🔹 SOLVE → Crew Module recovery test

🔹 Gaganyaan → India's first human spaceflight

🔹 HLVM3 → Human-rated launch vehicle

🔹 Vyommitra → Female humanoid robot

🔹 Altitude → 10–17 km

🔹 Orbit → 400 km LEO

🔹 Splashdown → Indian waters


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