NEWS – Air Breathing Propulsion: ISRO Completes Second Test Flight

HIGHLIGHTS

Rocket Used: RH-560 sounding rocket

Test Objectives

• Purpose: Demonstrate air breathing propulsion technologies
• Systems: Symmetrically mounted propulsion systems on either side of the rocket
• Performance: Achieved satisfactory performance and successful ignition of air breathing propulsion systems

Air Breathing Propulsion Technology

• Function: Utilizes atmospheric oxygen for combustion, eliminating the need to carry oxidizer
• Benefit: Facilitates low-cost space transportation and improves the payload fraction

Previous and Current Experiments

• First Experimental Mission: Conducted in August 2016 with the Scramjet engine
• Current Test Flight: Monitored nearly 110 parameters to assess performance

Development and Ground Tests

• Ground Tests: Conducted at:
  • Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
  • Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
  • ISRO Propulsion Complex
  • CSIR – National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru

RH-560 Rocket

• Design: Two-stage, solid motor-based suborbital rocket
• Purpose: Cost-effective flying test-bed for demonstrating advanced technologies

Future Implications

• Next Phase: Flight data from the mission to be used for further development of air breathing propulsion systems