by NEW DELHI: Achieving another milestone in its ongoing Gaganyaan programme, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Wednesday successfully conducted the qualification test of the cryogenic engine of the human-rated GSLV rocket to be used in the country’s maiden human spaceflight mission, scheduled to be launched in 2023.
“Isro successfully conducted the qualification test of cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan programme for a duration of 720 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The performance of the engine met the test objectives and the engine parameters were closely matching with the predictions during the entire duration of the test, the space agency said in a statement.
The successful long-duration test is a major milestone as it ensured the reliability and robustness of the cryogenic engine for induction into the human-rated launch vehicle. Further, the engine will undergo four more tests for a cumulative duration of 1810 seconds. Subsequently, one more engine will undergo two short-duration tests and one long-duration test to complete the cryogenic engine qualification for the manned mission.
Before the final manned mission in 2023, Isro has scheduled to send a ‘ vyommitra’ (a human-like robot) to space in two unmanned missions, one of which is likely to be launched around the middle of this year.
Till now, Isro chairman K Sivan had been overseeing different aspects of the Gaganyaan programme from setting up the Human Space Flight Centre to accelerate the programme to signing a slew of agreements with Russia and France for training of gagannauts, spacesuits, other space material and space medicine to several demonstration tests of the crew module. With Sivan’s one-year extended term ending on January 14, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director and rocket scientist S Somanath, who was appointed new chairman on Wednesday, will now oversee the programme, which includes the launches of the two unmanned missions this year and the final manned mission next year.
“Isro successfully conducted the qualification test of cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan programme for a duration of 720 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The performance of the engine met the test objectives and the engine parameters were closely matching with the predictions during the entire duration of the test, the space agency said in a statement.
The successful long-duration test is a major milestone as it ensured the reliability and robustness of the cryogenic engine for induction into the human-rated launch vehicle. Further, the engine will undergo four more tests for a cumulative duration of 1810 seconds. Subsequently, one more engine will undergo two short-duration tests and one long-duration test to complete the cryogenic engine qualification for the manned mission.
Before the final manned mission in 2023, Isro has scheduled to send a ‘ vyommitra’ (a human-like robot) to space in two unmanned missions, one of which is likely to be launched around the middle of this year.
Till now, Isro chairman K Sivan had been overseeing different aspects of the Gaganyaan programme from setting up the Human Space Flight Centre to accelerate the programme to signing a slew of agreements with Russia and France for training of gagannauts, spacesuits, other space material and space medicine to several demonstration tests of the crew module. With Sivan’s one-year extended term ending on January 14, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director and rocket scientist S Somanath, who was appointed new chairman on Wednesday, will now oversee the programme, which includes the launches of the two unmanned missions this year and the final manned mission next year.
