Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted two hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS). The transient tests, which lasted for 30 seconds and 100 seconds respectively, were carried out at ISRO's Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri on 3 July.
The two hot tests were conducted to validate the test article configuration, said the space agency in a press release statement on Wednesday.
"The overall performance of the propulsion system during these hot tests was normal as per pre-test predictions. During the 100s test, the simultaneous operation of all Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters in different modes (steady state; pulsed) along with all Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines was also successfully demonstrated", the statement added.
"ISRO's Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) is leading the technology development activities for the Gaganyaan SMPS. SMPS is a critical system of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module and is required during orbital maneuvering as well as specific abort scenarios," the space agency said.
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What do hot tests mean?
It refers to ground-based tests where rocket engines or propulsion systems are fired under controlled conditions to simulate actual operational environments. These tests involve igniting the propulsion system to evaluate its performance, reliability, and functionality, guaranteeing that it meets design specifications before it is used in a mission.
About Gaganyaan SMPS specifications -
It comprises five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines (each 440N thrust) and 16 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.
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"With the confidence gained through these hot tests, ISRO will conduct a full-duration hot test shortly," the statement said.
According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan programme aims to demonstrate India's capability to launch a crewed spacecraft into low Earth orbit, and the experience and knowledge gained from this mission will be crucial for its success.
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