In a quiet corner of Tamil Nadu, a major leap began. With engines fired and systems checked, ISRO moves closer to human spaceflight.
Propulsion System Passes Back-to-Back Trials
ISRO has completed two successful hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at Mahendragiri. The trials were held at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu. Engineers ran the system for 30 and 100 seconds to confirm its readiness. All engine components performed just as expected in earlier simulations.
Engines and Thrusters Demonstrate Full Capability
During the longer test, five Liquid Apogee Motors operated together. Each engine produced 440 Newtons of thrust as designed. Alongside them, sixteen Reaction Control System thrusters were tested. These delivered 100 Newtons each in both pulsed and steady modes. Together, they form the core system for orbital manoeuvres and abort actions. The test proved the system's strength in handling real mission demands.
Design Refined, Final Test on the Horizon
ISRO said this latest version of SMPS reflects key improvements. These were added based on findings from earlier hot trials. The setup is now closer to flight hardware than ever before. The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre is leading its technical development. Officials confirmed that a full-duration hot test is also being prepared. That test will further validate performance under flight-like conditions.
Gaganyaan is India’s first mission to send astronauts into orbit. The success of these propulsion tests marks a step forward. With each trial, ISRO inches closer to human space exploration.
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