ISRO has achieved a big achievement. It has successfully completed the development of the service module propulsion system (SMPS) for the Gaganyaan Mission. This mission is India’s first human space flight mission, which is being built.
What is SMPS?
SMPS is a part of the service module of Gaganyaan, which helps the spacecraft to keep, control and cancel the mission when needed. It is a regulated by-proclamation-based system, which meets many needs of orbital modules.
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Success of hot test
On Friday, ISRO did a 350 second full duration hot test of SMPS. The purpose of this test was to ensure that the system of nominal mission profiles also work properly. The overall performance of the propulsion system was normal according to the pre-test processes during the hot test.
How does SMPS work?
SMPS have two main parts …
- Liquid Epoji Motor (LAM) engine: These engines provide the main propulsive force during orbit circularization and D-Hungle Phase. That is, they help in transporting spacecraft to the right class and bringing down when needed.
- Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters: These thrusters ensure accurate attitude control, which keeps the spacecraft in the right direction.
Test and development
ISRO designed a system d -EMON stress model (SDM) test bed, which mimics the fluid circuit of SMPS. This includes propellent tank feed system, helium prevention system, flight-kalified thrusters and control components.
SDM has done 25 tests for a total time of 14,331 seconds for various Gaganyaan Mission Settlements and Human Rating requirements. These tests were performed in nominal and off-nominal conditions, so that the reliability of the system could be ensured.
Where and how was it made?
The Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System has been designed, developed and revised by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Center (LPSC). Tests were carried out at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
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