The Indian Navy is gearing up to train the astronauts of India's first crewed spaceflight program 'Gaganyaan' at Kochi's Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at INS Garuda, The New Indian Express reports. The instruction will focus on sea survival techniques for the astronauts upon their return from space, a WSTF official told the Indian media.
While the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are spearheading the spaceflight efforts, the Indian Navy has taken on a crucial role in prepping the astronauts for sea survival skills and for the recovery of the astronauts' crew module after it splashes down in the Indian Ocean following their three-day mission.
“This is our first attempt. The Navy, in coordination with ISRO scientists, has prepared a standard operating procedure for recovering the crew. The recovery team has been trained to ensure the safe extraction of the astronauts even under harsh weather conditions,” Captain Shinodh Karthikeyan, the officer in-charge of WSTF, was quoted as saying.
The Navy will strategically position vessels in the ocean with 48 backup landing sites to ensure a safe recovery. Once the crew module lands, astronauts will inflate their safety packs and await recovery.
The WSTF is outfitted with underwater egress trainers, parachute trainers, and rescue hoists. Shinodh emphasised the significance of preparing aircrew for survival in challenging sea conditions, where their safety is a top priority.
“Naval aircraft fly low over the sea as our job is to search for a target, [signs of] life, or a capsised boat in the vast sea. We have to train the aircrew on how to come out of the aircraft and survive in case of ditching at sea,” Shinodh stressed the importance of providing real-time experiences to alleviate any fears the aircrew may have.