NEWS – ISRO has achieved a significant milestone in rocket engine technology by developing a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle

HIGHLIGHTS

• The development of the lightweight nozzle was accomplished by Isro’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
• VSSC utilized advanced materials such as Carbon-Carbon (C-C) composites to create the innovative nozzle divergent.

Utilization of Advanced Materials:

• The use of Carbon-Carbon (C-C) composites in the nozzle divergent offers exceptional properties, including high specific strength and the ability to retain mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.
• Processes like carbonisation of green composites, chemical vapour infiltration, and high-temperature treatment were employed to achieve these properties.

Enhancing Payload Capacity:

• The lightweight nozzle technology is expected to enhance the vital parameters of rocket engines, leading to increased payload capacity for launch vehicles.
• This development is particularly significant for Isro’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which serves as a workhorse launcher for various space missions.