'Going as Planned': ISRO Launches Unmanned Test Flight TV-D1 for Gaganyaan Mission | WATCH

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday successfully launched the unmanned test flight TV-D1 from Sriharikota launch pad at 10:00 am. “Going as planned,” the space agency said after the launch.

“Mission Gaganyaan TV D1 Test Flight is accomplished. Crew Escape System performed as intended. Mission Gaganyaan gets off on a successful note,” an X post by ISRO said.

The lift-off saw some initial hiccups when the test flight was put on hold due to some technical glitches earlier today. However, the reasons behind the hold were identified and corrected and the launch was promptly resumed.

The lift-off attempt of Gaganyaan TV-D1 could not take place because the engine ignition did not happen in a nominal course, ISRO chief S Somanath said.

“The lift-off attempt could not happen today…engine ignition has not happened in the nominal course, we need to find out what went wrong. The vehicle is safe, we need to look at what happened. We will come back soon. The computer which is doing function has withheld the launch. We will correct it and schedule launch soon,” he said.

Later, the space agency said in an X post that the reasons behind the launch hold were identified and corrected.

The unmanned flight tests were scheduled to demonstrate the performance of the crew module escape system.