GSLV MK III test flight: SAC-designed antenna guides module’s return

AHMEDABAD: The joy on the faces of scientists at Isro’sSpace Applications Centre (SAC) here knew no bounds as the unmanned crew module mounted on the experimental test-flight of GSLV MK III achieved its desired objective. The reentry of the crew module into the earth’s atmosphere was flawless without disruptions in its communication systems.
The experiment was called Crew Module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE).The crew module will be used in future manned space missions.
SAC scientists had designed the capsule’s special communications system, including its antenna that ensured that the capsule did not suffer a communication blackout while making a reentry into the earth’s atmosphere. SAC director A S Kiran Kumar explained that the design of the antenna and its placement on the capsule ensured that the earth mission station received all the different radio signal frequencies from the capsule while making a reentry.
“Reentry communication blackout occurs when the high speed of the capsule obliterates atmospheric molecules, producing an electrically charged plasma around the aircraft. This disrupts radio communications. Our team at SAC designed an antenna that withstood this communication blackout,” says Kumar.
SAC is playing a major role in developing the life support system of the two-seater crew module. Scientists here are now at critical stage of devising sensors in the capsule that will help sustain humans on board — keeping track of their health, regulate flow of life-supporting gases, that is, supply the right amount of oxygen and maintain the right atmospheric pressure within capsule, including discarding carbon-dioxide. It will also regulate presence of other gases like methane and nitrogen.