The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone as it successfully completed the service module propulsion system test for the Gaganyaan mission at its Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri. The announcement was made by ISRO on Thursday.
According to a statement by ISRO, the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) was tested on July 19, 2023, at IPRC, Mahendragiri. The test involved five liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines, each with a thrust of 440 N, and sixteen reaction control system (RCS) thrusters with a thrust of 100 N.
The service module of Gaganyaan is equipped with a regulated bi-propellant based propulsion system, designed to cater to various requirements of the orbital module. These functions include orbit injection, circularization, on-orbit control, de-boost maneuvering, and a service module-based abort during the ascent phase.
The recent hot test of the system demonstration model (SDM) emulated the fluid circuit of the service module propulsion system. It encompassed critical components such as the propellant tank feed system, helium pressurization system, flight-qualified thrusters, and control components.
ISRO has planned five more tests to demonstrate both nominal and off-nominal mission scenarios. The agency is working diligently towards its ambitious Gaganyaan project, which aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capabilities by launching a crew of three members into a 400km orbit for a three-day mission and safely bringing them back to Earth, landing in Indian sea waters.
During the phase-2 test series, the first hot test demonstrated the integrated performance of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System. Previously, as part of the phase-1 test series of SM SDM, ISRO had conducted five hot tests, with a total duration of 2750 seconds.
Alongside the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO is also gearing up for the commercial launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C56 (PSLV-C56), tentatively scheduled around July 26, although an official date is yet to be finalized.
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