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ISRO Advances In Space Tech With Successful Air-Breathing Propulsion Test
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted its second experimental flight to demonstrate air-breathing propulsion technologies. The test took place at 7 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Propulsion systems were symmetrically mounted on either side of an RH-560 sounding rocket, which was subsequently launched.
Successful Ignition and Performance
ISRO reported that the test flight achieved "satisfactory performance" of the sounding rocket, along with the successful ignition of the air-breathing propulsion systems. This technology uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion, eliminating the need to carry oxidiser and thus reducing costs while improving payload capacity.
The space agency monitored nearly 110 parameters during Monday's test flight to assess its performance. The data collected from this mission will be instrumental for the next phase of development of these propulsion systems.
Previous Achievements and Ground Tests
In August 2016, ISRO successfully conducted its first experimental mission of the Scramjet engine, marking a significant step towards realising air-breathing propulsion systems. Leading up to this recent test flight, multiple ground tests were carried out at various ISRO centres including the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, ISRO Propulsion Complex, and CSIR – National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru.
The RH-560 is a two-stage, solid motor-based suborbital rocket designed as a cost-effective flying test-bed for demonstrating advanced technologies. It is also the heaviest among ISRO's sounding rockets.
Air-breathing propulsion facilitates low-cost space transportation by using atmospheric oxygen for combustion instead of carrying an oxidiser. This improves the payload fraction, which is the ratio of payload to lift-off mass.
The successful demonstration of the green propulsion technology showcases ISRO's commitment to sustainability and its pioneering role in developing eco-friendly solutions for future space missions. By reducing the dependence on toxic and hazardous chemicals, ISRO is not only ensuring a cleaner space environment but also setting a benchmark for other space agencies to follow.
Moving forward, the integration of green propulsion systems into ISRO's upcoming missions could significantly reduce costs and increase mission flexibility, ultimately paving the way for more frequent and diverse space explorations. This achievement highlights India's growing capabilities in space technology and reaffirms ISRO's position as a key player in the global space industry.
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