India's 'Bahubali' Rocket Preps for Gaganyaan, Nation's First Human Spaceflight

This special report from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focuses on the development of the Human-Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV) for the ambitious Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight programme. The report, by Pramod Madhav, showcases models of the LVM3 rocket, also known as 'Bahubali', detailing its configuration with solid boosters, a liquid stage, and a cryogenic stage, which are being adapted for human rating. Speaking on new design elements like grid fins for stabilization, an ISRO official stated, 'a couple of experiments we are carrying out and some of the places we have to use, not all the places.' The segment highlights critical safety features, including the crew escape system, which is paramount for the protection of the three 'Gaganauts' set to journey into a 400 km orbit.