Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and SAKHI App for Gaganyaan Mission

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and SAKHI App for Gaganyaan Mission

SAKHI App for Gaganyaan Mission

Purpose and Development:

  • The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI) is a versatile application developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to support astronauts during the Gaganyaan space flight mission.
  • It offers a range of functionalities to assist astronauts, including access to technical information, communication support, health monitoring, and dietary schedule management.

Functionality Overview:

  • Access to Technical Information: SAKHI provides astronauts with digital access to technical documents and training manuals, eliminating the need to carry physical copies.
  • Health Monitoring: The application monitors astronauts’ vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. It also alerts them about their dietary schedules, hydration levels, and sleep patterns.
  • Mission Log Maintenance: Astronauts can use SAKHI to maintain a log of the mission activities, including voice records, texts, and images.
  • Communication: SAKHI ensures seamless communication between astronauts, the onboard computer, and ground-based stations, ensuring connectivity with Earth.

Integration with Space Suits:

  • SAKHI is integrated into the astronauts’ space suits, providing them with easy access to its functionalities while in space.
  • The application is designed to be user-friendly and to enhance the safety and efficiency of the Gaganyaan mission.

Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission:

  • The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km for a three-day mission and safely returning them to Earth.
  • The crewed flight will be launched using the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3), which comprises solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages.
  • The Indian Human Spaceflight Centre coordinates the mission and is responsible for its implementation, including crew selection and training.

Schedule and Cost:

  • ISRO plans to launch the Gaganyaan mission in 2025, with the project estimated to cost less than Rs. 10,000 crore.
  • India has announced the identities of the four astronaut-designates, all Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, for the mission. The final crew will be selected from among these four individuals.

Significance:

  • If completed as planned, India will become the fourth nation in the world to independently conduct a human spaceflight mission, following the Soviet Union/Russia, the United States, and China.

Current Status:

  • An engineering model of the custom-built hand-held smart device featuring SAKHI has been tested. The development of a flight model is currently in progress.

Conclusion:

The SAKHI application is a crucial component of the Gaganyaan mission, providing astronauts with essential support and enhancing the mission’s safety and efficiency. Its development showcases India’s advancements in space technology and human

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