ISRO Propulsion Complex
 | |
  Location of Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Department of Space |
| Headquarters | Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli district 8°16′57″N 77°33′57″E / 8.2825479°N 77.5658637°E |
| Employees | 600+ |
| Annual budget | See the budget of ISRO |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | ISRO |
| Website | www |
The ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), located at Mahendragiri of Tamil Nadu, is an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centre involved in testing, assembling, and integrating propulsion systems and stages that are developed at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centres. Formerly, IPRC was known as LPSC, Mahendragiri, functioning under LPSC. It was elevated as an independent centre and renamed as IPRC with effect from 1 February 2014.[2][3]
The complex is situated near Panagudi in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.[4]
It is one of the ISRO centres that could be called as the "Jet Propulsion Laboratory of India" as all liquid, cryogenic and semicryogenic stage and engine related tests of ISRO's launch vehicles and satellites are carried out here.[5]
Capabilities
[edit]Following activities are currently carried out at IPRC:[2]
- Assembly, integration and testing of launch vehicle motors and stages
- Servicing of launch vehicle motors and stages
- Propellant storage
- Sea level and high altitude tests of Vikas, PS2/GS2, PS4, L40, L110, S200, CE-7.5 and CE-20 cryogenic engines, and steering engines[6]
- L40 and CE-7.5 development and qualification tests
- Assembly and integration of flight stages PS2/GS2, PS4, L40 for PSLV and GSLV missions
- Assembly and integration of LAM engine and AOCS thruster for satellites
Facilities
[edit]Principal Test Stand (PST)
[edit]
The Principle Test Stand is the oldest facility at IPRC Mahendragiri and was designed to test the Vikas Engine and other hypergolic engines. It consists of two sections, one for engine testing and the other for full stage integrated tests, ensuring accurate evaluation of various performance characteristics and seamless integration of critical components.
Cryo Main Engine Static Test Facility (CMEST)
[edit]The CMEST was set up for testing ISRO's cryogenic engines, specifically the CE-7.5 and CE-20.
Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET)
[edit]The Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine Test Complex (SIET) is a facility handling large flow of propellants. It is 51 metres tall and has 30 metres flame deflector depth.[7] It was originally designed for testing the SCE-200 Semi-Cryogenic kerolox engine. This engine is a crucial component of the LVM3 launch vehicle future upgrade, replacing the pair of Vikas engines on its first stage. The SIET was constructed with the aim of conducting tests on the SCE-200 engine, and it was completed by the end of 2022.
The facility consists of a visitors center, which is connected to the Test Control Center (TCC), allowing visitors to observe and learn about the testing procedures. The TCC is a critical element of the complex as it enables engineers and technicians to monitor the tests and make real-time adjustments to ensure their success.
On May 10, 2023, a significant milestone was achieved when the SCE-200 hot section was successfully tested on the stand. This marked a significant achievement in the development of the engine and the progress towards its integration into various launch vehicles.
High Altitude Test Facility (HATF)
[edit]Incidents
[edit]In 2017, three employees, including two senior officials of ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri were suspended pending enquiry for alleged procedural lapses.[8]
In September 2017, an unexplained explosion took place in the vicinity of the ISRO Propulsion Complex and local said they saw smoke emanating from the ISRO facility. However, a spokesperson said the "[i]ncident happened outside the building and has nothing to do with ISRO."[9]
In mid-2023, it was reported that the propulsion complex had terminates the first hot test on an intermediate configuration of the semi-cryogenic engine following an unanticipated spike in the turbine pressure and subsequent loss of turbine speed. The July 1 test that had to be terminated was said to be part of efforts to develop a 2,000 Kilonewton thrust semi-cryogenic engine.[10]
See also
[edit]- Indian Space Research Organisation
- Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
References
[edit]- ^ About IPRC[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "ISRO Centres - ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "LPSC at Mahendragiri elevated". The Hindu. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ "Swadeshi success". Frontline. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "LPSC Mahendragiri to function as independent unit: Minister". Press Trust of India. 31 January 2014 – via Business Standard.
- ^ "GSLV-linked facilities". Frontline. 22 January 2014.
- ^ Team, Business Standard (26 February 2024). "PM Modi to inaugurate technical facilities of Isro in Kerala on Tuesday". Business Standard. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ archive, From our online (15 July 2017). "Three ISRO officials suspended for lapses". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Fuwad, Ahamad (24 September 2017). "Mysterious explosion outside ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri; 'not ours', says space agency". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (3 July 2023). "ISRO terminates semi-cryogenic engine test after a sudden spike in turbine pressure and speed". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
