ISRO tests S200 solid fuel booster successfully

ISRO conducted the static test of its largest solid fuel booster, the S200, which will launch heavier satellites using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III).

Photo: The Isro S200 fuel booster on the test bed Photo credit: ISRO

The tests were conducted successfully at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on January 24, 2010.

“The solid propellent booster (S200) will form the strap-on stage for the GSLV-Mark III, which is in advanced stage of development for launching four-tonne class of communication satellites,” ISRO said in a statement.

N Narayana Moorthy, Project Director, GSLV Mk-III, called the test a big success.

The ambitious manned mission project is one step further to completion.

The S200 became the third-largest solid booster in the world, after the reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) solid booster of Space Shuttle of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US and P230 solid booster of Ariane-5 of Arianespace, a launch service and solutions consortium of European countries.

The S200 solid fuel booster is a 49-metre tall, three-stage rocket, with a lift-off weight of 629 tonnes. It can be used for multiple space missions to deploy satellites in geo transfer orbit, low earth orbit, polar and intermediate circular orbits.

The booster will provide the initial thrust for the GSLV and will be strapped to the heavier launch vehicle. The firing of the motor began at 8 a.m. at the test bed at SDSC. It was fired for 130 seconds and it generated a peak thrust of about 500 tonnes.

The initial data indicated normalcy, said ISRO, adding that, nearly 600 health parameters are taken ino consideration during the test for monitoring. The S200 solid fuel booster contained 200 tonnes of solid propellant in three segments.

It was designed at the space agency’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The motor measured 22 metres in length and 3.2 metres in diameter.

The test was conducted earlier in the day at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. “Its performance was exactly as predicted. About 600 health parameters were monitored and the initial data indicates normal performance,” the statement noted.

The success of this project would speed up the development of the advanced version of GSLV for launching heavier satellites.

“GSLV-Mk III will enhance the country’s capability to be a competitive player in the multi-million dollar commercial launch market,” said S Satish, ISRO director. “The GSLV-Mk III is scheduled for a launch by the end of 2011,” the official added.

ISRO has the indigenous GSLV-Mk I & II for launching five satellites weighing 1.5-2.5 tonnes for communication, broadcasting, weather (Kalpana-1) and education (Edusat) between 2001 and 2007.

V Srinivasan is the project director of the S-200 motor programme. Two S-200 motors will be attached to the core liquid stage of the GSLV Mk-III rocket, which will also be propelled by a powerful cryogenic engine.

The ground test of its L-110 liquid motor, fuelled by 110 tonnes of liquid propellants, will take place in February at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendragiri, near Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu. The GSLV Mk- III is expected to lift off from Sriharikota by the end of 2011.