BENGALURU: Isro on Thursday said it successfully tested the Gaganyaan service module propulsion system (SMPS) on Wednesday at the Isro Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri."This test involved five liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines with a thrust of 440 N (Newton) and 16 reaction control system (RCS) Thrusters with a thrust of 100 N.

The service module (SM) is a regulated bi-propellant based propulsion system that caters to the requirements of the orbital module, performing orbit injection, circularisation, on-orbit control, de-boost manoeuvring and SM based abort (if any) during the ascent phase," Isro said.The LAM engines provide the main propulsive force during the mission ascending phase, while the RCS thrusters ensure precise attitude correction."The hot test of the system demonstration Model (SDM) emulated the fluid circuit of the SMPS, encompassing the propellant tank feed system, helium pressurisation system, flight-qualified thrusters, and control components," Isro said.It added that the first hot test of the Phase-2 test series demonstrated the integrated performance of the Gaganyaan SMPS."The test, conducted for 250 seconds, involved LAM engines firing in continuous mode, along with RCS thrusters, adhering to the test profile," Isro said.

As part of the Phase-1 test series of SM SDM, Isro had previously conducted five hot tests, totalling a duration of 2,750 seconds.

"The earlier phase involved five 440 N LAM engines and eight 100 N RCS thrusters.

For the Phase-2 test series, the current configuration includes the full configuration of five 440 N LAM engines and 16 100 N RCS thrusters," Isro said.The SMPS is designed, developed, and realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)."With the successful completion of this hot test, the SMPS has advanced in demonstrating its integrated performance in the full configuration.

Moving forward, Isro has scheduled five additional tests to demonstrate both nominal and off-nominal mission scenarios, reinforcing the rigor of testing and the commitment to mission success," Isro added.