A file photograph of the primary hot take a look at of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), which caters to the necessities of the Orbital Module, at IPRC, Mahendragiri, on July 19, 2023.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) efficiently carried out two more hot tests on the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, on July 26.
The SMPS is designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru and Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram.
These tests marked the second and third hot tests within the Service Module – System Demonstration Model (SM-SDM) Phase 2 take a look at sequence. The first hot take a look at was carried out on July 19.
During the July 26 tests, the thrusters had been operated in each steady and pulse mode, in sync with the mission profile.
According to ISRO, the preliminary hot take a look at, which lasted for 723.6 second, focussed on demonstrating Orbital Module injection, and the calibration burn of 100 N thrusters and Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines. The calibration burn was important to determine and isolate any non-operational engines. The LAM engines and response management system (RCS) thrusters carried out as anticipated.
The latter hot take a look at, with a period of 350 seconds, aimed to reveal the circularisation of the Orbital Module to realize the ultimate orbit.
During this take a look at, the LAM engines operated in steady mode, whereas the RCS thrusters fired in pulse mode.
Three more hot tests are scheduled to reveal de-boosting necessities and off-nominal mission eventualities. These tests will additional validate and refine the efficiency of the propulsion system, making certain its readiness for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
The Gaganyaan mission envisages demonstration of human spaceflight functionality by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission, and bringing them again safely to Earth, by touchdown in Indian sea waters. ISRO plans to hold out Gaganyaan’s first abort take a look at in August.
