Successful ignition of indigenous cryogenic engine

[Anony]

Successful ignition of an indigenous cryogenic engine on Wednesday at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari district, in conditions simulating the high altitude atmosphere, has boosted the confidence of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to go ahead with the launch of a Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) in July.

The hot-test took place in the newly-built high altitude test facility (HAT) at ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri.

“The test was held at 7.55 p.m. on Wednesday, simulating the high altitude conditions to see whether ignition of the indigenously developed cryogenic engine takes place smoothly, as per the expected temperature, pressure and flow parameters,” said Director of LPSC M.C. Dathan.

“The ignition was perfect and it gave all the parameters as per our predictions and it has given us an excellent confidence to go ahead with the GSLV-D5 launch from Sriharikota in July,” he noted. The engine, which uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants and develops a thrust of 7.5 tonnes, powers the GSLV’s upper stage.

With the successful test, the indigenous cryogenic engine would be fully assembled and the cryogenic stage itself delivered at Sriharikota in a month’s time. “Once it reaches Sriharikota, it may take more than two months to fully assemble the vehicle and conduct all tests. So we are planning to launch the GSLV-D5 in the second half of July,” said Mr. Dathan.

GSLV-D5, with the indigenous cryogenic engine, will put into orbit a communication satellite called GSAT-14.

Mr. Dathan said the HAT facility was realised in a record time of one year. “This facility is a unique one in the country for testing cryogenic engines, simulating the high altitude conditions.”

The launch of a GSLV-D3 with an indigenous cryogenic engine in April 2010 ended in failure. Although the engine ignited in vacuum in space, the ignition could not be sustained.

 

[indiatester]

By high altitude, do they mean lower G & vacuum?

 

[Anony]

By high altitude, do they mean lower G & vacuum?

Yes. Vacuum test is must for this type of engine.

 

[indiatester]

Yes. Vacuum test is must for this type of engine.

What about lower gravity? Thats also pretty important to simulate.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Last time also in ground tests they managed to get the engine working. Question is about in flight- keeping fingers crossed.

What about lower gravity? Thats also pretty important to simulate.

you can't simulate lower gravity for engines.

 

[Anony]

What about lower gravity? Thats also pretty important to simulate.

Dude, I have limited knowledge on this. But the following link will help to get a clear idea on its importance.

http://www.asi.org/adb/04/03/14/spacecraft-fire-safety.pdf

 

[Echo_419]

Proud to be an Indian

 

[acetophenol]

Gud job! Long way to go,and the start was perfect!

 

[acetophenol]

Last time also in ground tests they managed to get the engine working. Question is about in flight- keeping fingers crossed.



you can't simulate lower gravity for engines.

@Anony @indiatester:Its possible to simulate lower gravity in Earth. Astronauts train themselves in water filled pools to simulate lower gravity and weightlessnes. Also,some sort of Diamagnetic facilities are also used to simulate lower gravity.

 

[GR!FF!N]

best of luck Isro..we need this tech badly..any news on GSLV mk-III??

 

[priti]

why cant they modify these and fit in cars so that we reduce oil dependency?

 

[IND151]

The engine looks different than image posted in CE-20 wiki article

best of luck Isro..we need this tech badly..any news on GSLV mk-III??

It will be tested in second half of 2013

Mk II with indegenous cryogenic engine will tested second half of July

@Anony @indiatester:Its possible to simulate lower gravity in Earth. Astronauts train themselves in water filled pools to simulate lower gravity and weightlessnes. Also,some sort of Diamagnetic facilities are also used to simulate lower gravity.

There is also another method where a plane carries astronauts to height of 30,000 feet and dives

It creates a gravity less situation for 9 seconds, this method is used in training

https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&r...RT33Usy_cJpPlrMIa4dqeqw&bvm=bv.44442042,d.bmk

 

[Hack-Hook]

@Anony @indiatester:Its possible to simulate lower gravity in Earth. Astronauts train themselves in water filled pools to simulate lower gravity and weightlessnes. Also,some sort of Diamagnetic facilities are also used to simulate lower gravity.

They don't simulate lower gravity. They only train to be ready for weightlessness. And magnetic force cant effect gravity

 

[Anony]

why cant they modify these and fit in cars so that we reduce oil dependency?

First these are very big and bulky engines. Secondly it will not be economical. Around the world instead of simulating these technology a parallel air propulsion for cars is being developing. We even have one Indian industry 'TATA ' in advanced stage in this technology. Tata partnering one european automobile has jointly developed this technology but it's usage are still limited and also that it require roads of good infrastructure, is making this system out from immediate launch in India. But the good thing is that it is not that costly.

 

[acetophenol]

They don't simulate lower gravity. They only train to be ready for weightlessness. And magnetic force cant effect gravity

weightlessness is not completely achieved in "Water filled pools" or "neutral buoyancy laboratories".The parts still feel their weight there fore its not "weightlessness" but "lower gravity" which the astronauts use to simulate effects close top weightlessness.

"Diamagnetism" is also used to simulat lower gravity situations.Diamagnetic leviation kjfhewai;h;owjfo'