Why is it in the News?

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facility at Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram, has developed a multi-purpose app that will help astronauts on the Gaganyaan space flight mission carry out a range of tasks such as looking up vital technical information or communicating with one another.

About SAKHI App:

• The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an ISRO facility in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, has created the versatile 'SAKHI' app for astronauts on the Gaganyaan space flight mission.
• SAKHI stands for 'Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction'.

Purpose:

• During the mission, the app will assist Gaganyaan crew members in various tasks such as accessing vital technical information and communicating with each other.

Utility:

• Health Monitoring: It will monitor key health parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, providing crucial insights into the crew's physical condition during the mission.
• Additionally, it will remind them of hydration, dietary schedules, and sleep patterns.
• Connectivity:
• Astronauts can use the app to maintain mission logs in various formats, including voice recordings, texts, and images.
• It will ensure seamless communication between the crew, the onboard computer, and ground-based stations.
• Current Status: An engineering model of the custom-built hand-held smart device featuring SAKHI has been tested, with the development of a flight model underway.

About the Gaganyaan Mission:

• The primary objective of the mission is to demonstrate the capability to launch and safely return three crew members to low Earth orbit.
• The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) is designated as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.
• Crew Escape System (CES): A vital component of the mission, CES is powered by quick-acting, high-burn rate solid motors.
  • It ensures the safe evacuation of the Crew Module and crew in case of emergencies during launch or ascent.
• Orbital Module: Comprising the Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM), the Orbital Module orbits the Earth, providing safety and support throughout the mission phases.
• Crew Module (CM): Designed to offer a habitable space with Earth-like conditions for the crew during their time in space.
• Service Module (SM): This module supports the CM during orbit, containing essential systems such as thermal, propulsion, power, avionics, and deployment mechanisms.
• This will mark ISRO's inaugural manned spaceflight mission, joining the ranks of the US, Russia, and China, which have previously conducted human spaceflights.