By Madhurima Ghish –
The Indian space research organisation achieved a milestone by succesfully completing the static test firing of human-rated solid rocket booster engine (HS200) for its human space mission programme ‘Gaganyaan’ on Monday at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The HS200 is human-rated version of the S200 rocket booster of satellite launch vehicle GSLV Mk III that would carry Indian astronauts safely to space. The design and development of the HS200 booster were completed at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram and propellant casting was completed at SDSC, Sriharikota..
The first stage of GSLV Mk III rocket which is a three staged vehicle, is powered by solid fuel, the second by liquid fuel and the third is cryogenic stage powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
The 135 seconds test firing of The HS200 booster loaded with 203 tonnes of solid propellant , was witnessed by ISRO Chairman and Secretary in the Department of Space, S Somanath, and Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) S Unnikrishnan Nair along with other ISRO scientists. The 20-metre long and 3.2 m diameter booster is the world’s second-largest operational booster with solid propellant, claimed ISRO. During the test, about 700 parameters were monitored and the performance of all the systems was normal, the space agency further said.
GSLV Mk III launch vehicle underwent improvements that aimed at increasing the safety and reliability for its human space mission. These include additional safety features for motor case joints, robust insulation and ignition systems. The control system used in this booster employs one of the world’s most powerful electro-mechanical actuators with multiple redundancies and safety features, ISRO said.
The system is indigenously designed and developed by ISRO in participation with various industries spread across the country
“Gaganyaan programme, the most prestigious scientific endeavour of India, is steadily progressing towards its final goal of taking an Indian to space and bringing him safely back,” ISRO added.