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ISRO crossed a major milestone yesterday (November 30, 2001) when it successfully tested an up-rated version of the liquid propellant Vikas engine at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Test Facilities at Mahendragiri in Tamilnadu. The Vikas engines are employed in the second stage of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) as well as the second and the four strap-on stages of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The up-rated version of the Vikas engine tested yesterday developed a chamber pressure of 58.5 bar against 52.5 bar in the current version. This new engine uses UH25 (a mixture of Unsymmetrical Di-methyl Hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide as oxidiser. A number of short duration tests of the up-rated version had been conducted in the past few months to check the inter-play of various parameters to ensure a stable combustion before conducting the test yesterday. In addition to the verification of performance of the engine for full duration, the test has also validated the Silica-phenolic throat for the extended duration of burning time. The quick look data has indicated normal performance of the engine. After completion of qualification, the new up-rated Vikas engine is planned to be introduced in the second developmental test flight of GSLV, which is scheduled during 2002. The new engine has the potential to increase the payload capability of GSLV by about 150 kg in the Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Related Links Indian Space Research Organisation SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
India's Technology Experiment Satellite Working Well
Bangalore - Oct 23, 2001The Technology Experiment Satellite, TES, which was launched by ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C3, from Sriharikota yesterday (October 22, 2001) is functioning well. India Launches PSLV, Places Three Satellites in Orbit 
Bangalore - Oct 22, 2001In its sixth flight conducted today (October 22, 2001) from SHAR Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C3, successfully launched three satellites -- Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) of ISRO, BIRD of Germany and PROBA of Belgium -- into their intended orbits. India Eyes New Spaceplane Concept 
New Delhi - August 8, 2001Indian rocket scientists claim to have designed a reusable space plane, dubbed Avatar, which they plan to use for launching satellites at very extremely low cost and taking tourists on rides into space The Times of India has reported. |
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