Chennai, July 9 (UNI) ISRO has successfully conducted two hot tests of the Gaganyaan

Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC),

Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.

The tests were conducted on July 3, ISRO said in an update today.

The two short duration hot tests were conducted for 30s and 100s to validate the test

article configuration.

The overall performance of the propulsion system during these hot tests was normal

as per pre-test predictions.

During the 100s test, simultaneous operation of all RCS thrusters in different modes

(steady state; pulsed) along with all LAM engines was also successfully demonstrated.

ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) is leading the technology development

activities for the Gaganyaan SMPS.

SMPS is a critical system of Gaganyaan Orbital Module and is required during orbital

manoeuvring as well as specific abort scenarios. It comprised of five Liquid Apogee

Motor (LAM) engines (each 440N thrust) and 16 of Reaction Control System (RCS)

thrusters (each 100N thrust).

In order to simulate the propulsion system conditions closer to flight, the SMPS test

article for these hot tests incorporated improvements based on experience gained

from earlier hot tests.

With the confidence gained through these hot tests, ISRO will conduct a full duration

hot test shortly.

UNI GV 1640