Bangalore: The long-duration static test of
liquid core stage (L110) for a new-generation heavy rocket
being developed by Indian Space Research Organisation has
failed, sources in the space agency said.
The test conducted at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems
Centre (LPSC) in Tamil Nadu's Mahendragiri yesterday was
originally targeted for 200 seconds but aborted at around 150
seconds following "some minor leakage in the command system",
the sources said.
Sources termed it as a "very minor problem" wherein there
was a small leak in the command line that was detected by
computer, which automatically stopped the test. "There is
absolutely no problem in the engine".
India's PSLV and GSLV so far used one Vikas engine. But
the heavy-rocket GSLV Mk III under development is meant to
launch four tonne class of satellites in Geosynchronous
Transfer Orbit (GTO) and needs much better thrust. And hence,
two Vikas engines were being used for the first time.
ISRO last week successfully conducted the short-duration
static test of the L110 stage, which uses two high-pressure
Vikas engines in a clustered configuration and draws its
heritage from the second stage of PSLV and GSLV and strap-ons
of GSLV.
An ISRO release said the test was stopped at 150 seconds
since a deviation in one of the parameters was observed.
"About 500 important parameters were monitored during the
static test. The next static test for 200 seconds will be
conducted after analysis of this data".
Measuring 17 metres in length and four metres in
diameter, L110 is an earth storable liquid propellant stage
with a propellant loading of 110 tonnes.
"While in PSLV and GSLV, the liquid stage with single
engine configuration burns for 150 seconds, the GSLV-Mk III
requires burning for 200 seconds in a twin engine
configuration," ISRO said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 06, 2010, 21:58