A file picture of posters of Gaganyaan’s Orbital and Service Modules.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully examined the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on July 19.
This check concerned 5 liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines with a thrust of 440 N, and 16 response management system (RCS) thrusters with a thrust of 100 N.
The service module of Gaganyaan is a regulated bi-propellant based mostly propulsion system that caters to the necessities of the Orbital Module, performing orbit injection, circularisation, on-orbit management, de-boost manoeuvring, and SM-based abort (if any) through the ascent part.
The 440 N thrust LAM engines present the primary propulsive drive through the ascending part, whereas the RCS thrusters guarantee exact altitude correction.
The scorching check of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) emulated the fluid circuit of the Service Module Propulsion System, encompassing the propellant tank feed system, helium pressurisation system, flight-qualified thrusters, and management parts.
The first scorching check of the Phase-2 check sequence demonstrated the built-in efficiency of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System. The check, performed for a length of 250 seconds, concerned LAM engines firing in steady mode, together with RCS thrusters, adhering to the check profile.
As a part of the Phase-1 check sequence of service module SDM, ISRO had carried out 5 scorching tests, totalling a length of two,750 seconds.
Phase-1 concerned 5 440 N LAM engines, and eight 100 N RCS thrusters. Phase-2 check sequence concerned the complete configuration of 5 440 N LAM engines, and 16 100 N RCS thrusters.
With the profitable completion of the new check, the SMPS demonstrated its efficiency within the full configuration. Moving ahead, ISRO has scheduled 5 further tests to exhibit each nominal and off-nominal mission eventualities, reinforcing the rigour of testing.
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 check in August.
