(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) ECLSS

(JANUARY-2024)

ISRO to develop ECLSS for Gaganyaan mission after failing to get it from other countries.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will develop the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) indigenously for the Gaganyaan mission.

The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capability by launching a crew to a 400 km orbit and safely returning them to Earth.
The LVM-3, India’s heaviest rocket, will be used to launch Gaganyaan Mission. It is expected to be launched in 2025.
ISRO initially hoped to acquire the ECLSS from other countries but was unsuccessful.

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is a subsystem typical of crewed space vehicles which provides all the necessary conditions in order to make life in space possible.

Provides oxygen for breathing
Removes carbon dioxide from the cabin air
Recovers and recycles oxygen from carbon dioxide to resupply the crew
Filters particulates and microorganisms from the cabin air and maintains cabin pressure, temperature and humidity levels
Removes volatile organic trace gases, such as ethanol, that are colorless, odorless and can build up over time
Distributes cabin air between each room or module, of the station
Provides potable water for consumption, food preparation and hygiene
Purifies recycled water from multiple sources back to potable water.