Indigenous cryogenic stage tested

[Contrarian]

Indigenous cryogenic stage tested

T.S. Subramanain

CHENNAI: An indigenous cryogenic stage developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was successfully tested on the ground on Saturday for a long duration of eight minutes at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri, near Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu.

The test took place around 6.30 p.m. ISRO officials called it a good test. All parameters of the stage including its engine performed normally, they said. A cryogenic stage is used as the topmost stage in ISRO’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for putting in orbit INSAT-class of satellites weighing up to 2,500 kg in orbit.

This stage is necessary for putting such heavy satellites in orbit. This includes the engine, tanks for storing the propellants, control and guidance systems, and so on. Its development involves complex technology and use of propellants at extremely low temperatures. The propellants used in the cryogenic stage are liquid hydrogen at minus 260 degrees Celsius and liquid oxygen at minus 160 degrees Celsius.

In a GSLV flight, the cryogenic stage performs for 12 minutes before injecting the satellite into orbit. With the 8-minute test of the indigenous cryogenic stage successful, ISRO will later attempt a test for the full duration of 12 minutes.

ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair and LPSC director M.K.G. Nair were present during the test on Saturday.

There have been four GSLV flights from Sriharikota so far and all of them have used cryogenic stages from Russia.

The LPSC, Mahendragiri, was the lead-centre of ISRO for developing the indigenous cryogenic stage. Others involved in the development included the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, the ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/05/stories/2007080560321200.htm

 

[niaz]

If this is really true, my hat's off to Indian scientists. Cryogenics is something to be proud of.

 

[con]

If this is really true, my hat's off to Indian scientists. Cryogenics is something to be proud of.

Sir,
They have been working on this for quite sometime now. During the late 90's, US pressurized Russia not to supply cyrogenic engines to India for the space programme.

This resulted in ISRO funding the development of the engine.

 

[intruder]

During the late 90's, US pressurized Russia not to supply cyrogenic engines to India for the space programme.
This resulted in ISRO funding the development of the engine.

We should take this opportunity to thank US for not supplying cryo tech this helps us to build our own expertise ....

 

[Neo]

Quite impressive indeed, only a few countries produce cryogenic tanks!

 

[intruder]

Quite impressive indeed, only a few countries produce cryogenic tanks!

Neo, atlast there is something we all agree ......

 

[Neo]

Neo, atlast there is something we all agree ......

I envy ISRO and I've always been open about it. Credit should been given where its due...

 

[joey]

If this is really true, my hat's off to Indian scientists. Cryogenics is something to be proud of.

This has been succesful because of proper government funding and in dead technological denial regime being no way to import engines other than one-per-launch basis from Russia, and commitment by ISRO and its management (as it is the organisation which makes things for itself thus is void of external bureaucracies). Even though it took quite time to develope it. Apparently it has already started develooping re-startable semi-cryogenic engine which according to them will take 3~5 years as they have done the hardest one aka cryogenic engine.

The test that has been done is 480 seconds burn corresponding to the first burn of Cryo stage. Of the 720 seconds total burn the first burn takes the spacecraft to low earth orbital velocity so after that there is no ISP loss due to gravity. During the first burn the cryo engine is operated in "overdrive" mode generating 110% of nominal thrust. The second cryo burn increases the orbit to 36,000 Km Geo tranfer orbit. The engine is re-startable engine on and off on and off.

I'm more interested in knowing ISRO's plans for what after GSLV MK3, will it wonder of the regular route all are going for a higher launcher or will move to TSTO type vehicle, I have no clue what they are up to regarding vehicles after GSLV MK3.

PS : T S Subramanian is the best defence journalist you will get his articles are always a class quoting the scientists themselves, other ones are Huma Siddqui and a few others.

 

[joey]

Cryogenic stage tested on the ground

Bangalore, Aug. 5 (PTI): The indigenously-developed "cryogenic stage", to be used in India's Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket, was on Saturday tested on the ground for eight minutes at a facility in Tamil Nadu.

"All parameters of the stage and the engine were normal," a release from the Indian Space Research Organisation said.

In October last year, a test was conducted for a short duration of 50 seconds. Yesterday's successful test at the liquid propulsion test facility in Mahendragiri constitutes a "major milestone towards the qualification of the stage," ISRO said.

The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre is the lead facility for the development of a cryogenic upper stage with the involvement of other ISRO centres, including Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore and Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. These centres developed various components and systems of the stage, it said.

Several industries in the public and private sectors are also involved in its development.

The indigenous cryogenic engine has successfully completed tests totalling 6,000 seconds as part of its qualification programme.

Yesterday's long duration test has "validated the design, robustness and performance adequacy of the engine and the stage for its use in GSLV," the release said

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200708050320.htm