Introduction
The Indian Space Programme had a modest beginning with the launch of the first sounding rockets in November 1963 from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), an obscure fishing village near Thiruvananthapuram for the investigation of ionosphere using sounding rockets. The primary objective of the Indian Space Program is to achieve self-reliance in Space Technology and to evolve application program to meet the developmental needs of the country, thus ISRO was brought under the newly formed DOS in September 1972.
Since then, over the last five decades, the ever challenging task of space technology development and utilisation, has not only graduated from experimental and demonstration phases to an operation era, but also provided its potential to address the national needs. Notable progress has been made in the design, development and operation of space systems, as well as, using them for vital services like telecommunications, television broadcasting, meteorology, disaster management support and natural resources survey and management including climate variability and change.
The space program has become largely self-reliant with capability to design and build satellites for providing space services and to launch them using indigenously designed and developed launch vehicles. The end-to-end capability in space for vital applications in communications, broadcasting, meteorology and natural resource information are of direct relevance for national development. The diverse roles of space technology & services in various fronts – social, economic, commercial and strategic have made the space systems an important component of our national infrastructure.
GSLV Mk-III Development
GSLV Mk-III Project is responsible to develop a cost effective heavy lift Launch Vehicle (LVM3) capable of launching 4 ton class of communication satellites into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The major propulsion modules in LVM3 include two S200 solid strap-on stages, L110 core liquid stage and C25 cryogenic upper stage.
S200 Solid strap-on stage and L-110 Core Liquid Stage -This is the first Indian cluster design
Both S200 and L110 stages have been qualified through static hot tests. S200 flight motors are ready and Flight Readiness Review (FRR) completed. L110 flight stage has been assembled. All facilities at Launch Complex are ready for the first flight of LVM3. First hot test of C25 thrust chamber was successfully carried out at Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) facility, Mahendragiri.
Ground Resonance Test of GSLV Mk-III in full vehicle configuration has been carried out. All environmental qualification tests of sub assemblies have been completed. Structural qualification test of 5 m diameter Heat shield has been completed. Test rigs are under erection for two pending structural qualificationtests.Functional qualification tests of S200, L110 and Spacecraft separation systems and pyros are completed. Preparations towards the functional separation test of heat shield are also progressing well. C25 integrated engine test is planned during 2014-2015.
The first experimental sub-orbital flight test (LVM3-X) with passive C25 stage is scheduled on 18th Dec, 2014. Trajectory design has been completed and flight simulation activities are progressing.
Major Achievements during 2013-2014
- Successful launches of PSLV-C22 with India’s first indigenous Regional Navigation SatelliteIRNSS-1Aon 1st July 2013 and the PSLV-C25/Mars Orbiter Mission on 5th November 2013;
- For the GSLV, commissioning trials of High Altitude Test facility at LPSC Mahendragiri Facility (LMF) were carried out followed by successful cold start test and two hot tests of cryo engine;
- Cryogenic Upper Stage-05 flight stage was realized. All activities towards the GSLV-D5 were completed towards the launch planned on 19th August 2013 fumes were noticed in 1/2V area and UH-25 propellant dripping over 1/2V and GS1 dome and thereafter launch was called off at T-1:30:00 Hrs
- A High Level Task Team was constituted to give recommendations to restore GSLV D5 vehicle to flight configuration. The project has taken action to realize all the additional stages as per the recommendations of High Level Task Team. All the additional stages are realized and positioned at SDSC-SHAR. Launch campaign has re-commenced on 18th October 2013 with a launch target of 15th December 2013. The GSLV D5 was successfully launched on 5thJanuary, 2014;
- Ground Resonance Test of GSLV Mk-III in full vehicle configuration has been carried out. All environmental qualification tests of sub assemblies have been completed. Structural qualification test of 5m diameter Heat shield has been completed. Functional qualification tests of S200, L110 and Space craft separation systems and pyros are completed. Preparations towards the functional separation test of heat shield are also progressing well. C25 integrated engine test is planned during 2014-2015;
ISRO's C-25 Cryogenic Upper State Engine (CUSP)
- Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) - High altitude Radar Altimeter balloon test with silica tiles was successfully conducted up to an altitude of 700 m at TIFR;
- Wind tunnel testing of 1:1 Flush Air Data System (FADS) model was conducted at IIT, Kanpur. Avionics Bay powering was carried out through OBCC for the Avionics packages in the TDV;
- Aero Thermo-Structure (ATS) base structure for the SRE-II was realized at CMSE and kept in preservation mode. Six plasma wind tunnel tests were conducted to validate the silica tile repair scheme. To qualify new elements mounted in the base region of SRE II, an integrated test of annular deck was successfully completed. Realization of carbon-carbon cap and shell hardware with revised process is in progress at Composite Characterization & Quality Control Management (CMSE) and external centers.;
- Crew module has been realized for Flight testing in LVM3-X mission.
ISRO Orbital Vehicle in details
- Environmental Simulation Chamber commissioned for testing of Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) functional modules and flight suit systems;
Indian Vyomanaut's Space Suit
- Detailed mission studies were carried out for the scramjet engine flight. Qualification model and flight model of newly developed Scramjet Engine Avionics Module and Scramjet engine frame assembly for flight were realized;
- Towards Scramjet combustor ground testing facility, fluid flow trials in manual/automatic mode were carried out on Gaseous Oxygen, Air and Gaseous Nitrogen supply systems;
- Spin qualification test of XTA system (Expanding Tube Assembly Based Stage Separation System) for ATV D02 vehicle was successfully completed;
- Semi cryo engine single element thrust chamber ignition trials (3 Tests) conducted at Scramjet Propulsion Test Facility (SPTF/LMF), which included stage combustion cycle mode test of the injector.
- Six patents have been granted during the year.
Major Activities Planned during 2014-2015
- 3 PSLV missions are scheduled with Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) series of satellites (IRNSS-IB, IC & ID) that will enable commissioning of Indian Regional Navigation Satellites system;
- Proposed to launch GSLV-D6 mission carrying GSAT-6 Satellite;
- Proposed to launch the first experimental flight of GSLV MkIII with passive cryo stage (LVM3-XMission) in the first quarter of 2014;
- Crew Module flight in LVM3- X mission
- Flight integration and launch of RLV-HEX 01 mission;
- Launch of ATV D02 vehicle with active air breathing engine modules and fuel feed system during March 2014 from SDSC-SHAR;
- Realisation and qualification of Crew Module for Pad Abort Test (PAT) and realisation of facilities at SDSC- SHAR for PAT;
- Development tests of Environmental Control and Life Support subsystems in Cabin Environment Simulator;
- Realisation and qualification of flight worthy scramjet engine modules and high pressure Gaseous Hydrogen Fuel Feed System to demonstrate supersonic combustion in high speed flight conditions;
- Major facilities to be commissioned include Advanced Thermovacuum Facility, Nozzle & Combustor Testing Laboratory, Detonics Research Laboratory, Powder Metallurgy Facility, Advanced Electronic Ceramic Laboratory, 5 and Fastener Storage & Automated Retrieval Facilities.
- Planned to complete integration & delivery of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS 06 and CUS 07) flight stages for GSLV mission;
- Planned to complete sub scale thrust chamber hot test, realisation of engine subsystems, completion of indigenous development of raw materials and realization of booster turbo pump & cold flow test;
- Planned for the realization and delivery of PS2, PS4 stages and control Power Plants (CPP) for PSLV continuation programme & launch campaign activities;
- Planned to develop hydrostatic lift-off seals for cryo turbo-pump, Cryo flow meter, demonstrate nano heat transfer technology for semicryo, Dual Bell Nozzle design validation through hot tests, MEMS based temperature sensor, Sensor Networking, development of satellite thrusters with green propellants etc. Annular ejector technology demonstration for HAT, demonstrate variable flow control valve for throttleable engine and develop motor operated cryo valves;
- Continuation of L40 stage integration and production of Vikas Engine, Cryo engine, pressure fed engines, propellant tanks & stage interface elements, feed lines etc., through industry;
- Production of transducers, satellite thruster parts, tankages & feedlines, end to end production of spacecraft propulsion components, satellite pressure vessel parts etc., production of cryogenic control components, integrated production of fluid control components, satellite propulsion components & sensors through industry, integrated production of injection valves & gear box assembly actuators, establishment of alternate production plant for N2O4 and production of LH2 through industry;
ISRO's Semi-Cryogenic Engine which uses liquid Oxygen (LOX) and ISROSENE (indigenous propellant-grade kerosene) as Fuel
- Planned to establish semicryo fluid control components assembly & integration facility atLPSC-V, materials lab and combustion research lab & spin test facility at Valiamala;
- Planned to commission Scramjet Propulsion Test Facility (SPTF) at LMF, high power SPT test facility at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC - B) and semicryo cold flow test facility & bulk storage facility;
- Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) augmentation for semi cryo subscale engine test, design & detailed engineering of new facilities viz. Second MET, Cryo turbo Pump Test facility, New PS4 engine facility, II LAM facility etc.,
- Planned to commission semicryo cold test facility and bulk storage facility;
- Planned to establish combustion research lab & spin test facility at Valiamala.
by Admin IDN
