ISRO ‘hot tests’ Gaganyaan mission’s Service Module Propulsion System again
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a hot test of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
The SMPS is a critical component of the Gaganyaan mission, which is India's first human spaceflight mission. The SMPS will provide the main propulsion for the mission, including orbit injection, circularization, and de-orbit.
The hot test involved firing the SMPS for a duration of 2,750 seconds. The test was conducted under simulated flight conditions, and all the parameters were within the specified limits.
The successful hot test of the SMPS is a major milestone for the Gaganyaan mission. It demonstrates that the propulsion system is ready for flight, and it brings the mission one step closer to reality.
The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled to launch in 2023. It will send a crew of three astronauts to a low-Earth orbit for a duration of seven days. The mission will pave the way for India's future human spaceflight program.
In addition to the hot test of the SMPS, ISRO also conducted a series of other tests on the Gaganyaan mission's crew module. These tests included a static fire test of the crew module's main engine, and a thermal vacuum test of the crew module's cabin.
The successful completion of these tests further demonstrates the progress that ISRO is making on the Gaganyaan mission. The mission is a major milestone for India's space program, and it is expected to boost the country's technological capabilities.