Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently achieved a key milestone in its Gaganyaan programme by successfully conducting two hot tests of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS). These tests validate the propulsion system’s readiness for India’s first crewed space mission. The results confirm the system’s reliability for orbital manoeuvres and critical abort scenarios, underpinning India’s ambition to send humans safely into low Earth orbit.
About Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System
The SMPS is an essential element of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module. It manages spacecraft orientation, trajectory corrections and emergency aborts. The system comprises five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines, each generating 440 Newtons of thrust, and sixteen Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters, each providing 100 Newtons. These thrusters operate in steady-state and pulsed modes to ensure precise control during flight.
Details of the Hot Tests Conducted
ISRO performed two separate hot tests – one lasting 30 seconds and another extending to 100 seconds. These tests simulated real flight conditions to assess the propulsion system’s performance. All parameters remained within expected limits and matched pre-test predictions. The 100-second test notably demonstrated the simultaneous operation of all RCS thrusters in different modes alongside all LAM engines, replicating complex in-orbit manoeuvres.
Technical Development and Improvements
The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) leads the SMPS development. Experience from prior tests informed design refinements incorporated into the current test article. These improvements enhanced the system’s fidelity to actual flight conditions. The successful tests boost confidence ahead of a planned full-duration hot test, a critical step before integration into the crewed spacecraft.
Significance for India’s Crewed Space Mission
The Gaganyaan programme aims to demonstrate India’s ability to launch and safely return astronauts from low Earth orbit. The SMPS is vital for mission success, ensuring stable orbital control and enabling emergency aborts if necessary. Failure in this system could jeopardise crew safety and mission objectives. These successful hot tests mark advance towards India’s first human spaceflight.
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