ISRO Conducts First SOLVE Ground Test for Gaganyaan
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted the first ground test of the solid motor for its Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) on 3 July 2026 at the Static Test Facility, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. SOLVE is a compact test vehicle developed for integrated parachute tests of the deceleration system of the Gaganyaan Crew Module. This test is an important milestone in India's human spaceflight programme.
Extra Detail
SOLVE stands for Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments. It is designed to carry the crew module to an altitude of 10 to 17 km, after which the module separates and a sequence of 10 parachutes deploys for a controlled descent before splashdown in the sea. This allows ISRO to test the parachute-based recovery system under realistic conditions without a full orbital mission.
The solid stage of SOLVE is derived from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) strap-on motor. The modified configuration includes a slow burn-rate propellant and a straight nozzle with secondary injection thrust vector control. Gaganyaan is India's first crewed spaceflight programme, and its crew module uses a parachute-based deceleration system for atmospheric re-entry and sea recovery. The SOLVE vehicle provides a flexible test platform for simulating different conditions for Gaganyaan trials. The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, earlier scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, is now expected later in 2026.
🎓 Exam Facts
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is located at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
- SOLVE = Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments.
- Its solid motor is derived from the PSLV strap-on motor.
- Static tests are ground-based tests done without launching the vehicle.
- Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight programme.
- ISRO was established in 1969; its headquarters is in Bengaluru.
📌 Key Points
- ISRO tested the solid motor of SOLVE on 3 July 2026 at Sriharikota.
- SOLVE will run integrated parachute tests for the Gaganyaan crew module.
- It carries the module to 10–17 km; 10 parachutes deploy for descent.
- Solid stage derived from the PSLV strap-on motor.
- First uncrewed Gaganyaan mission now expected later in 2026.
📝 10 Practice MCQs
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Q1. SOLVE, tested by ISRO, stands for:
A) Solid Orbital Launch Vehicle Experiment B) Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments C) Space Orbital Low Velocity Engine D) Satellite Orbital Launch Vehicle
Show Answer
Answer: B) Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments
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Q2. The SOLVE ground test was conducted at:
A) VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram B) SDSC, Sriharikota C) ISRO HQ, Bengaluru D) SAC, Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Answer: B) SDSC, Sriharikota
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Q3. SOLVE is a test vehicle for which programme?
A) Chandrayaan B) Mangalyaan C) Gaganyaan D) Aditya-L1
Show Answer
Answer: C) Gaganyaan
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Q4. To what altitude does SOLVE carry the crew module?
A) 5-8 km B) 10-17 km C) 20-25 km D) 30-40 km
Show Answer
Answer: B) 10-17 km
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Q5. The solid stage of SOLVE is derived from which launch vehicle's motor?
A) GSLV B) PSLV strap-on motor C) SSLV D) RLV
Show Answer
Answer: B) PSLV strap-on motor
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Q6. How many parachutes deploy in the SOLVE descent sequence?
A) 4 B) 6 C) 8 D) 10
Show Answer
Answer: D) 10
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Q7. Satish Dhawan Space Centre is located in which State?
A) Kerala B) Karnataka C) Andhra Pradesh D) Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Answer: C) Andhra Pradesh
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Q8. A static test is best described as a test that is:
A) done in orbit B) ground-based without launching C) done underwater D) a simulation only
Show Answer
Answer: B) ground-based without launching
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Q9. In which year was ISRO established?
A) 1962 B) 1969 C) 1975 D) 1980
Show Answer
Answer: B) 1969
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Q10. On which date was the first SOLVE ground test conducted?
A) 1 July 2026 B) 3 July 2026 C) 5 July 2026 D) 6 July 2026
Show Answer
Answer: B) 3 July 2026
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