1. What Happened?
- ISRO successfully connected the ECLSS (Environmental Control and Life Support System) with the Vyomitra robot on April 28, 2026.
- The ECLSS is the system that keeps astronauts alive inside the spacecraft — it controls the air they breathe, the temperature, and more.
- This was developed entirely by VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) in Thiruvananthapuram — ISRO’s main centre for building rockets and crew systems.
- India’s first crewed (human) spaceflight — Gaganyaan — is planned for early 2027 (Q1 2027).
2. What Does the ECLSS Do? (Science Made Simple)
Imagine being in a sealed metal capsule floating 400 km above the Earth. There is no air outside, extreme cold and heat, and no way to open a window. The ECLSS is what keeps everything safe inside. Here is what it does:
- Controls air pressure: Keeps the air inside the capsule at the same pressure as what we breathe on Earth (about 1 atmosphere or 101 kPa).
- Manages oxygen levels: Keeps oxygen at the right level (~20.9%) so astronauts can breathe normally.
- Removes CO₂: Astronauts breathe out carbon dioxide (CO₂). If it builds up, it is dangerous. The system removes it using lithium hydroxide (LiOH) canisters — the same method used on the International Space Station (ISS).
- Controls temperature: Keeps the inside of the crew module between 18°C and 27°C, even though space outside is nearly -270°C in shade and 120°C in sunlight.
- Recovers water: Collects moisture from the air (from breathing and sweating) and recycles it back into usable water.
- Fire safety: Has special fire detection and suppression systems safe for use in a closed capsule.
3. Who Is Vyomitra and Why Was This Integration Important?
- Vyomitra is ISRO’s half-humanoid robot — designed to look and act like a human crew member inside the spacecraft.
- Vyomitra was tested first (without humans) to make sure all the life support systems are working properly. This is called a precursor safety validation.
- Once ECLSS + Vyomitra testing is successful, ISRO will then send three human astronauts (Indian Air Force pilots) on the actual Gaganyaan mission.
- With Gaganyaan, India will become the 4th country in the world to independently send humans to space — after Russia/USSR (1961), USA (1962), and China (2003).
4. Quick Facts — Gaganyaan at a Glance
- Mission type: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — orbiting Earth at about 400 km altitude (same height as the ISS)
- Duration: 3-day mission
- Crew: 3 Indian Air Force astronauts
- Landing: Splashdown in the Bay of Bengal
- Programme approved: 2018 | Cost: ₹9,023 crore
- Developed by: ISRO — with ECLSS by VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram
UPSC Value Box — Key Terms to Remember
| Term / Law / Body | Simple Meaning — What It Is and Why It Matters |
| Gaganyaan Programme | India’s first human spaceflight mission. Approved in 2018 at ₹9,023 crore. 3-day Low Earth Orbit mission with 3 crew members. Splashdown in Bay of Bengal. India will be the 4th country to independently launch humans to space. |
| ECLSS (Life Support System) | Environmental Control and Life Support System. Controls air, oxygen, CO₂, temperature, water, and fire safety inside the spacecraft. Developed by VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram. Essential for any crewed spaceflight. |
| VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) | ISRO’s main centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Responsible for building launch vehicles (rockets) and crew module systems. Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India’s space programme. |
| Low Earth Orbit (LEO) | Orbital zone at 200–2,000 km above Earth. Gaganyaan will orbit at ~400 km. At this height, one orbit around Earth takes about 90 minutes. The International Space Station (ISS) also flies at this altitude. |
| Vyomitra | ISRO’s half-humanoid robot. Flies on uncrewed test missions to simulate human actions and check if life support systems are working safely — before actual astronauts fly. |
Prelims Practice Question
| Consider the following statements about Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight programme:
1. Gaganyaan is designed to send Indian astronauts to land on the Moon. 2. The ECLSS for Gaganyaan was developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. 3. Vyomitra is a humanoid robot used to test life support systems before actual human astronauts fly on Gaganyaan. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Answer: (b) — 2 and 3 only Statement 1 is WRONG. Gaganyaan is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission — it will orbit Earth at about 400 km altitude for 3 days. It is NOT a Moon mission. India’s Moon programme is called Chandrayaan. Statement 2 is CORRECT. The ECLSS was designed and built by VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre), Thiruvananthapuram — ISRO’s centre for launch vehicles and crew systems. Statement 3 is CORRECT. Vyomitra is ISRO’s half-humanoid robot that flies on uncrewed test missions to check if life support and cabin systems are working correctly — before human astronauts board. |
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