ISRO’s Gaganyaan SMPS Passes Crucial 30s and 100s Hot Tests

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a significant step toward its first crewed mission, Gaganyaan, by successfully conducting two hot tests of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. Announced on July 8, these tests are a critical achievement in ensuring the reliability of the propulsion system, bringing India closer to launching astronauts into low Earth orbit by 2026.

Gaganyaan Milestone: ISRO Successfully Tests SMPS 
 

 Conducted under the supervision of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, the tests assessed the performance of the system’s bipropellant engines and thrusters, which are essential for orbital maneuvers, attitude control, and abort scenarios. ISRO reported that the system performed as expected, with all parameters meeting pre-test predictions, confirming the robustness of the SMPS design.

ISRO Completes SMPS Hot Tests for Crewed Mission  
 

The SMPS is a vital component of the Gaganyaan spacecraft, responsible for powering the service module that supports the crew module in orbit. It ensures precise trajectory adjustments, re-entry alignment, and emergency maneuvers to safeguard astronauts. The successful short-duration tests validate the system’s integration and functionality, paving the way for a full-duration test to simulate real mission conditions, a crucial step before the crewed launch.

ISRO Validates Gaganyaan Propulsion with Hot Tests  

As preparations continue, the nation watches with pride, anticipating a historic milestone in its space journey. The Mahendragiri facility’s role highlights India’s self-reliance in developing advanced propulsion technologies, setting the stage for future deep-space missions.