BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has achieved a milestone in its Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme by successfully completing crucial communications testing with the European Space Agency (ESA) ground station network.
To maximise communication coverage during Gaganyaan missions, Isro plans to utilize both its own facilities and external ground station support from global partners.
The recently conducted Radio Frequency Compatibility Tests (RFCT) validated the network operations of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module’s communications systems, marking a critical step toward ensuring reliable communication during future manned missions.
“The comprehensive testing involved integrating multiple systems, including Gaganyaan’s onboard Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TTC), Data Handling, and Audio/Video Systems with ESA’s ground stations. The completion demonstrates end-to-end compatibility between Isro’s spacecraft communications and ESA’s ground network,” Isro said.
Pointing out that mission success heavily relies on maintaining constant communication between the Mission Control Centre and the Gaganyaan Orbital Module, Isro said this connection was vital for crew communication, monitoring onboard systems, and enabling ground-based flight controllers to execute commands.
In the first week of December 2024, the two agencies signed a Technical Implementing Plan (TIP) to enable ESA to provide critical ground tracking support for India’s Gaganyaan missions. The support through the Technical Implementing Plan will ensure uninterrupted data flow and communication with the Orbital Module, crucial for monitoring and conducting orbital operations.
And, in the third week of December 2024, further strengthening its international space cooperation, Isro had signed an agreement focusing on astronaut training, mission implementation, and research experiments with ESA.
According to Isro, the collaboration establishes a comprehensive framework for joint activities in human space exploration, with particular emphasis on astronaut training programmes and research initiatives.
These agreements are not standalone but a continuation of the long-standing cooperative relationship between the two space agencies. Both of them have a proven track record of supporting each other in numerous successful space missions.