The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently carried out two successful tests as part of its ongoing efforts to further validate and refine the propulsion system for the Gaganyaan mission. These “hot tests” were conducted on the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s capability for human spaceflight by launching a crew of three members into an orbit of 400km for a three-day mission. The ultimate goal is to safely bring them back to Earth by landing in the Indian sea waters. This ambitious mission is set to pave the way for future manned space missions from India.
Validation and Refinement
ISRO’s recent tests of the SMPS represent a significant step in validating and refining the performance of the propulsion system for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The tests ensure that the system is fully prepared and capable of meeting the mission’s requirements.
During the tests, the thrusters of the SMPS were operated in both continuous and pulse mode, aligning with the mission profile. These operations included Orbital Module injection, calibration burn of the 100 Newton thrusters, and the utilization of Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines.
The initial hot test, which lasted for 723.6 seconds, focused on demonstrating the Orbital Module injection and calibration burn. This burn was crucial for identifying any non-operational engines and ensuring that the LAM engines and reaction control system (RCS) Thrusters performed as expected.
The second hot test, with a duration of 350 seconds, aimed to demonstrate the circularization of the Orbital Module to achieve the final orbit. During this test, the LAM engines operated continuously, while the RCS Thrusters fired in pulsing mode.
ISRO has scheduled three more hot tests to further demonstrate the de-boosting requirements and test off-nominal mission scenarios. These additional tests will provide valuable data and ensure the propulsion system’s readiness for the Gaganyaan mission.
The recent successful hot tests conducted by ISRO further validate and refine the propulsion system for the Gaganyaan mission. These tests mark significant progress towards India’s first human spaceflight mission and highlight ISRO’s ongoing dedication to space exploration and technological advancement. With each successful test, India moves closer to achieving its goal of becoming a leading player in human spaceflight.
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