Modi to inaugurate three ISRO facilities today

Modi to inaugurate three ISRO facilities today

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space sector

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to review the progress of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and inaugurate three significant facilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

Details:

• The Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2025, aims to demonstrate India’s capability in human spaceflight by orbiting astronauts and safely returning them to Earth.
• The three facilities are: The Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the VSSC, PSLV integration facilities at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and the Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility (SIET) at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.
• The Trisonic Wind Tunnel:
  • A first in India, it spans 170 meters in length with a 1.2 m test section for assessing aerodynamic properties of rocket and aircraft models, capable of generating speeds from subsonic to four times the speed of sound. These facilities are expected to bolster self-reliance in the design of future launch vehicles.
• PSLV Integration Facilities (PIF) at Sriharikota:
  • It will give the ISRO the capability to increase the number of PSLV missions in a year to 15. At the new facility, the PSLV rocket will be integrated parallelly with the refurbishment of the launch pad.
• Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility (SIET):
  • It will give the ISRO the capability to test the SCE-2000 semi-cryogenic engine which uses refined kerosene (named ISROSENE) and liquid oxygen as propellants and the rocket stage. The facility is at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri.

Source: TH