The indigenously developed cryogenic stage, to be used as the upper stage of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), was ground tested for a long duration of eight minutes today (August 4, 2007) at Liquid Propulsion test facility at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. All the parameters of the stage and the engine were normal.
Earlier test was for a short duration of 50 seconds. Today’s successful test constitutes a major milestone towards the qualification of the stage.
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is the lead centre for the development of Cryogenic Upper Stage with the involvement of other ISRO centres including Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore and Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota that developed various components and systems of the stage. Several industries, both in public and private sector, are also involved in its development.
The indigenous cryogenic engine had successfully logged cumulative tests duration of 6000 seconds as part of its qualification programme. Today’s long duration test has validated the design, robustness and performance adequacy of the engine and the stage for its use in Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
