ISRO successfully conducts hot tests of Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System
Chennai, July 9 (UNI) ISRO has successfully conducted two hot tests of the Gaganyaan
Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC),
Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.
The tests were conducted on July 3, ISRO said in an update today.
The two short duration hot tests were conducted for 30s and 100s to validate the test
article configuration.
The overall performance of the propulsion system during these hot tests was normal
as per pre-test predictions.
During the 100s test, simultaneous operation of all RCS thrusters in different modes
(steady state; pulsed) along with all LAM engines was also successfully demonstrated.
ISRO's Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) is leading the technology development
activities for the Gaganyaan SMPS.
SMPS is a critical system of Gaganyaan Orbital Module and is required during orbital
manoeuvring as well as specific abort scenarios. It comprised of five Liquid Apogee
Motor (LAM) engines (each 440N thrust) and 16 of Reaction Control System (RCS)
thrusters (each 100N thrust).
In order to simulate the propulsion system conditions closer to flight, the SMPS test
article for these hot tests incorporated improvements based on experience gained
from earlier hot tests.
With the confidence gained through these hot tests, ISRO will conduct a full duration
hot test shortly.
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