ISRO Successfully Conducts Gaganyaan’s Service Module Propulsion System Test

National

Indian Space Research Organization has successfully conducted the Gaganyaan’s Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) test at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu on July 19. The whole test was conducted for 250 seconds.

The SMPS test comprises five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) with a thrust of 440 N and 16 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters with a thrust of 100 N. The 440 N thrust RAM engines supply the main propulsive force at the time of ascending phase, and on the other hand, the RCS thruster establishes accurate altitude correction.

The Service module of Gaganyaan is a regulated bi-propellant-based propulsion system that caters to the demand of the Orbit Module. The service Module helps in performing orbit injection, circularisation, on-orbit control, de-boost maneuvering, and SM-based abort during the ascent phase.

The System Demonstration Model (SDM) underwent a hot test, emulating the fluid circuit of the Service Module Propulsion System. The Phase-2 test series demonstrated the integrated performance of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System, with LAM engines and RCS thrusters firing continuously.

ISRO conducted five hot tests for SM SDM Phase-1, involving 440 N LAM engines and 100 N RCS thrusters. ISRO conducted the first hot test of the System Demonstration Module (SDM) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System in August 2021.

The SMPS is designed, developed, and realized by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. The system is scheduled for five additional tests to demonstrate both nominal and off-nominal mission scenarios.

ISRO’s Gaganyaan Project envisions the demonstration of the Human Spaceflight facility by launching the crew of 3 of three members to an orbit of 400km for a three-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea water. ISRO intends to perform Gaganyaan’s first abort test in August.