ISRO Moves Closer to Gaganyaan Mission with Successful Key Engine Development

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone for its ambitious Gaganyaan Mission by successfully developing a crucial engine for the spacecraft's Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS).

ISRO confirmed that two hot tests of the SMPS were conducted earlier this month and successfully completed.
“With the conclusion of the qualification test programme, ISRO has successfully completed the development of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) for the Gaganyaan Mission,” the space agency said in a statement.

On Friday, ISRO carried out a full-duration hot test lasting 350 seconds to evaluate the integrated performance of the SMPS under off-nominal mission conditions related to module-based abort scenarios.
“The propulsion system performed as expected, with outcomes aligning with pre-test predictions,” the statement added.

The Service Module (SM) in the Gaganyaan mission uses a regulated bi-propellant propulsion system. It supports the Orbital Module by handling orbit circularisation, on-orbit control, de-boost manoeuvres, and abort operations during the ascent phase.

The Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines serve as the primary propulsion units for circularising and de-boosting the orbit, while Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters manage fine attitude adjustments.

A System Demonstration Model (SDM) was built to simulate the Service Module’s fluid circuit, incorporating propellant feed systems, helium pressurisation, flight-ready thrusters, and control components.

According to ISRO, the SDM has undergone 25 rigorous tests under both normal and off-nominal conditions, accumulating a total test duration of 14,331 seconds, to meet mission and human-rating standards.

The propulsion system was designed and developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), and all tests were conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri.

The Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed spaceflight programme, is scheduled for launch in 2027. It aims to demonstrate India’s ability to send astronauts to low Earth orbit and bring them back safely.

ISRO plans to carry out two crucial missions under Gaganyaan this year — the second test vehicle flight and an uncrewed orbital mission, which will validate critical systems for crew safety and recovery.

Meanwhile, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan programme, is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting experiments that may support India's human spaceflight efforts. He is expected to return to Earth next week.

With inputs from IANS