The Gaganyaan Service Module’s propulsion system has undergone successful testing by the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro). The ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri hosted the test.During the test, sixteen reaction control system (RCS) thrusters and five liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines each producing 440 N of thrust each were fired.
According to Isro, the Gaganyaan’s Service Module is a controlled bi-propellant-based propulsion system that meets the needs of the Orbital Module by carrying out orbit injection, circularization, on-orbit control, de-boost maneuvering, and service module-based abort if necessary during the mission’s ascent phase.
In essence, the service module that the astronauts will be seated in will be guided by the propulsion system.According to the Indian Space Agency, the RCS thrusters enable precise attitude correction while the 440 N Thrust LAM engines provide the primary propulsion force during the mission’s ascending phase.
The Service Module Propulsion System’s fluid circuit, which includes the propellant tank feed system, helium pressurization system, flight-qualified thrusters, and control components, was modeled during the System Demonstration Model’s (SDM) hot test. The Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System’s integrated performance was demonstrated during the first hot test of the Phase-2 test series, according to a statement from Isro.
The space agency stated that the completion of this hot test successfully demonstrates that the SMPS has advanced in showing its integrated performance in the whole configuration, even if it made no mention of the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission’s first abort test. The LAM engines fired continuously for the duration of the 250-second hot test, and the RCS thrusters followed the test profile. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) created and developed the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System.