31-12-2020 | 17:45 PM
Green Propulsion Technology of ISRO
Context
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing “Green Propulsion Technology”. The technology is being developed for the Human Space Flight Mission of India, Gaganyaan, which is to be launched in December 2021. It is believed to be less harmful to the environment, for its human spaceflight missions.
Key Highlights
In 2018, ISRO began the journey of developing Green Propulsion Technology.
ISRO developed an eco-friendly solid propellant Glycidyl Azide polymer GAP as fuel and Ammonium Di-Nitramide as oxidiser in 2018.
ISRO had been carrying out technology demonstration projects involving green propellant combinations such as kerosene, Hydrogen Peroxide, Liquid Oxygen, AND-Glycerol-water, AND-Methanol-water.
ISRO has begun the testing of Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Hydrogen based propulsion systems for launch vehicles.
ISRO has already using Green Propulsion Technologies in its mission. However, the technologies are used only in part of the mission. For instance, Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Hydrogen combination of propulsion is used in the Cryogenic upper states of GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle.
ISRO has developed ISORENE. ISORENE is rocket grade version of kerosene. It is an alternative to conventional Hydrazine rocket fuel.
About Propulsion Technology
Propulsion means push forward or drive an object forward. In rockets and airplanes, the propulsion is generated through the application of Newton’s third law, “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. A working fluid or a gas accelerates the engine.
About ISRO
ISRO stands for Indian Space Research Organisation
ISRO is India’s space agency which was founded in 1969 to help develop an indigenous Indian space program.
In 1962, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established by Jawaharlal Nehru under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The INCOSPAR became ISRO in 1969.
The Department of Space was created in 1972 and ISRO became a part of it and remains so till date. The Space Department reports directly to the Prime Minister of the country.
ISRO is headquartered in Bengaluru.
ISRO’s vision is stated as “Harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration.”
