ISRO Conducts Successful Hot Tests of Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System
- ISRO conducted two short-duration hot tests (30s and 100s) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System on July 3 at Mahendragiri.
- The tests confirmed normal system performance, including the successful simultaneous operation of all LAM engines and RCS thrusters.
- With improved configurations and test success, ISRO is now preparing for a full-duration hot test as part of the Gaganyaan mission’s development.
In a major stride toward India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted two short-duration hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at its Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri on July 3.
The tests, which lasted for 30 seconds and 100 seconds respectively, were aimed at validating the current test article configuration and simulating flight-like conditions. In a statement issued on July 8, ISRO confirmed that the overall performance of the propulsion system was in line with pre-test predictions.
During the crucial 100-second test, ISRO successfully demonstrated the simultaneous operation of all five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines and 16 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters in various modes, including steady state and pulsed operation. Each LAM engine delivers 440 Newtons of thrust, while the RCS thrusters generate 100 Newtons each.
The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is leading the technological development of the SMPS, a critical component of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module responsible for orbital manoeuvring and handling specific abort scenarios during the mission.
The hot test article included several improvements based on insights gained from previous test campaigns, ensuring a closer simulation of real flight conditions. ISRO stated that these latest tests bolster confidence as the agency prepares for a full-duration hot test in the near future.
The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India’s capability to launch and safely return a crewed spacecraft from low Earth orbit. The successful development and testing of key systems like the SMPS are seen as vital milestones in making India the fourth nation to achieve human spaceflight capabilities.
