Page 6 - Spec Tech Vol 1 Issue 06
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ISRO VSSC Director explains significance
of latest hybrid rocket motor test
In the hybrid motor, the use of Liquid oxygen Government of India. The Centre is named in
as oxidizer enables throttling of the motor and fond memory of Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the
the control over the flow rate of the Liquid great visionary and the father of the Indian
oxygen enables the re-start capability. The Space Programme. VSSC pioneers in rocket
latest Hybrid motor uses a Solid fuel research and launch vehicle projects of ISRO.
Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as He said that rocket motors powered by solid
fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer fuels and solid oxidizers are a single-use
The ISRO recently completed a successful test category. This essentially means that they are
of what it called a hybrid motor. Conventional discarded (fall back into the ocean) after they
motors that are developed by ISRO burn a burn out the fuel contained within. These
chemical combination that is in similar states motors also cannot be re-started and fired
(either solid or liquid), i.e., they are powered by again. However, in the case of motors that
solid fuel and solid oxidizers or liquid fuel and use liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer, the motors
liquid oxidisers. However, the latest Hybrid can be restarted and the amount of thrust can
motor uses a Solid fuel Hydroxyl-terminated be throttled (controlled). In the hybrid motor,
polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid the use of Liquid oxygen as oxidizer enables
oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer. According to throttling of the motor and the control over the
ISRO, the test of flight equivalent 30 kN hybrid flow rate of the Liquid oxygen enables the
motor demonstrated ignition and sustained re-start capability. Simply put, the hybrid
combustion for the intended duration of 15 motor tested by ISRO combines the high-
seconds. The motor performance was thrust ca pability of solid-fuelled motors and
satisfactory, the Indian space agency added. the re-start and throttle capability of liquid-
Speaking to WION, Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair, fuelled motors. "Hybrid motors can be used
Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for applications such as spent stage recovery
highlighted the advantages of the hybrid motor (partially-reusable rockets). This technology is
and its future applications. Vikram Sarabhai scalable and can be used for future rockets
Space Centre (VSSC) is the lead Centre of the where there is a need for restart, throttle
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ability, more safety and greener fuel" Dr Nair
under the Department of Space (DOS), elaborated.
Courtesy: Atul Tripathi — Linkedin
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