Satellite Launch Vehicles

Seminar Report On

Satellite Launch Vehicles

A report submitted by

Vikas Raghunath Ingle (2015BME008)

Third Year B. Tech Mechanical

Under the guidance of

Prof. P. A. Mane

Department of Mechanical Engineering

12 April, 2018

Department of Mechanical Enginerering

Walchand College Of Engineering

Sangli - 416415, Maharashtra, India

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Gratitude is hardest emotion to express and often doesn’t find adequate words to
convey that entire one feels.

It is our duty to express deep sense of gratitude and respect to the guide Prof. P.A.
Mane for his uplifting tendency and inspiring us for making of his seminar work completely
and successfully.

We are indebted to library personal for offering all the help in completing the seminar
work last but not the least we are thankful to our colleagues and those helped us directly or
indirectly throughout this seminar work.

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 Satellite Launch Vehicles

Abstract
With the vision of applying space technology to the country's developmental needs,
India started its space programme in 1962. The triad of Homi Jahangir Bhaba, Vikram
Sarabhai, and Jawaharlal Nehru succeeded in this Herculean task though both Homi Jahangir
Bhaba and Vikram Sarabhai were not in this world to witness the growth of the space
programme. The triad, especially Bhaba and Sarabhai, aimed at applying space technology to
achieve the technological leapfrogging in vital areas of development such as
communications, meteorology, and natural resource management.

The programme comprises the INSAT system for telecommunications, broadcasting,

and meteorological services and the IRS system for resources monitoring. It also includes the
development of PSLV for launching remote sensing satellites into polar orbits and GSLV for
launching communications and meteorological satellites into GTO.

Indeed, there are remarkable achievements in this programme. The successes can be
briefly listed, here. The first sounding rocket was launched in 1963. The first Indian satellite
Aryabhata was launched in 1975. The second experimental launch of SLV-3 placed Rohini
satellite successfully in orbit in 1980. Apple, an experimental geostationary communications
satellite, was launched in 1981. The INSAT system began in 1983 with the launch of INSAT
IB, a satellite borrowed from abroad. The earth observation system became operational with
the launch of IRS-IA in 1988.

INSAT-2A, the first indigenously built multipurpose satellite, was placed in orbit in
1992. The indigenous PSLV placed IRS-P2 successfully in polar sun synchronous orbit in
1994. The indigenous GSLV placed a test satellite, GSAT-1, in GTO in 2001, making India
one of the six space-faring nations in the world with the capability to launch satellite into
GTO. India also developed its indigenous cryogenic technology and engine. The indigenous
Development of Reusable launch vehicle(RLV-TD) and Scramjet engine is under technology
demonstration phase.

There were moments of failures, too. The first SLV launched in 1979 was a failure
because the second stage failed to ignite. The first two launches of ASLV were failure: in the
first launch in 1987, the first stage motor failed to ignite though the computer had given the
command; in the second launch in 1988, the first stage did ignite but the strap-on motors
burned out a second too early, leading to inadequate control for few seconds. The first launch
of PSLV in 1993 was a failure because the fourth stage was not properly ignited and the
vehicle went out of control Though the first launch of GSLV was a success, the fourth launch
was a failure. However, whenever failures occur, they themselves became a source of
inspiration to accomplish the goals set.

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Contents
Sr. Topic Page No.
No.
1 History 4
2 Introduction 5
3 Types of Satellite Launch Orbits 6
4 Types of Satellite Launch Vehicles 7
5 Detail Overview of Satellite Launch Vehicles 8
1. Satellite Launch vehicle. (SLV) 8

2. Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle. (ASLV) 8

3. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. (PSLV) 8

 Vehicle Specifications 8
 Schematics of Vehicle 9
 Technical Specification 10

4. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. 11

(GSLV)
 Vehicle Specifications 11
 Technical Specifications 11
 Schematics of Vehicle 12

5. Sounding Rockets. 13

6. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark

III. (GSLV Mk III) 13
13
 Vehicle Specifications
14
 Technical Specifications

7. Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology

14
Demonstration. (RLV-TD)
 Objectives of RLV-TD 15
 Achievements 15

8. Scramjet Engine - TD 16

6 Conclusion 17
7 Refrances 18

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1.History
The seventies, the space programme primarily geared towards carrying out research
and development in a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines of relevance to launch
vehicles and satellites. Efforts were directed also at conducting selective large-scale During
experiments in communications and in remote sensing. By the end of the decade an
experimental satellite launch vehicle, SLV-3 capable of launching satellites into near earth
orbit was also developed. During the eighties, the programme moved closer towards realising
its goals. The INSAT-I series of communication satellites and the IRS series of remote
sensing satellites were operationalised for well-defined applications, Significantly, all
operational satellites of the eighties are indigenously deseed.

The Satellite Launch Vehicle, or SLV was a project started in the early 1970s by
the Indian Space Research Organisation to develop the technology needed to launch
satellites. The project was headed by APJ Abdul Kalam. SLV was intended to reach a height
of 400 km and carry a payload of 40 kg. The first experimental flight of SLV-3, in August
1979, was a failure. It was a four-stage rocket with all solid-propellant motors.
The first launch of the SLV took place in Sriharikota on 10 August 1979. The fourth
and final launch of the SLV took place on 17 April 1983.

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2.Introduction:
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload
from Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle,
the launch pad, and other infrastructure. Although a carrier rocket's payload is often an
artificial satellite placed into orbit, some spaceflights, such as sounding rockets, are sub-
orbital, while others enable spacecraft to escape Earth orbit entirely.
Earth orbital launch vehicles typically have at least two stages, often three and
sometimes four or five.
There are many space agency in the world as follows
 CNSA, the Chinese National Space Agency.
 ESA, the European Space Agency, a consortium of national space agencies of several
European countries.
 ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organization.
 JAXA, the Japanese space agency.
 NASA, the American space agency.
 Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.
Each of them provides launch services (i.e. builds their own orbital-class rockets),
builds their own satellites and scientific payloads, and has either achieved human spaceflight
or interplanetary robotic science missions or both.
Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has two
operational launchers: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV). GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled the
launching up to 2 tonne class of communication satellites. The next variant of GSLV is
GSLV Mk III, with indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine and stage, having the capability
of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites.

In order to achieve high accuracy in placing satellites into their orbits, a combination
of accuracy, efficiency, power and immaculate planning are required. ISRO's Launch Vehicle
Programme spans numerous centres and employs over 5,000 people. Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of
launch vehicles. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and ISRO Propulsion Complex, located at
Valiamala and Mahendragiri respectively, develop the liquid and cryogenic stages for these
launch vehicles. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, is the space port of India and is
responsible for integration of launchers. It houses two operational launch pads from where all
GSLV and PSLV flights take place.

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3.Types of Satellite Launch Orbits:

Orbit
feature GTO LEO

Full form Geostationary Transfer Orbit Low Earth Orbit

Orbital period 24 hours 10 to 40 minutes

Satellite height 35,800 km 180 to 2000 km

Satellite life Long Short

Propagation loss Highest least

•Covers large geographical area, only

three GEO satellites are needed to cover
earth.
•Visible for 24 hours from fixed location •LEO satellite provides better signal
on earth strength.
•Ideal for satellite broadcast and •Least signal propagation delay since it
Advantages multipoint communication is closest to earth.

•A very large number of satellites

•Considerable time delay in the signal, network is required, thus it is very costly
which is not favourable for point to •Atmospheric drag effects are more
point communication. which cause gradual orbital
•Since it is above the equator, it faces disorientation
difficulty in broadcasting near polar •only visible for 15 to 20 minutes from a
Disadvantages region. particular area.

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Figure Fig.1. Geostationary orbit Fig.2. Polar Orbit

4.Types of Satellite Launch Vehicles:

Fig.3. Launch Vehicles

Historic:
 Satellite Launch vehicle. (SLV)
 Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle. (ASLV)
Operational:
 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. (PSLV)
 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. (GSLV)
 Sounding Rockets.
Future:
 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III. (GSLV Mk III)
 Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration. (RLV-TD)
 Scramjet Engine - TD

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5.Detail Overview Of Sattelite Launch Vehicals:

1)Satellite Launch Vehicle. (SLV):
SLV-3 was successfully launched on July 18, 1980 from Sriharikota Range (SHAR),
when Rohini satellite, RS-1, was placed in orbit, thereby making India the sixth member of
an exclusive club of space-faring nations. The first experimental flight of SLV-3, in August
1979, was only partially successful. Apart from the July 1980 launch, there were two more
launches held in May 1981 and April 1983, orbiting Rohini satellites carrying remote sensing
sensors.
Satellite Launch Vehicle-3(slv-3) was India’s first experimental satellite launch
vehicle, which was an all solid, four stage vehicleweighing 17 tonnes with a height of 22m
and capable of placing 40kg class payloads in Low Earth Orbit(LEO).
2) Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle. (ASLV):
The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) Programme was designed to
augment the payload capacity to 150 kg, thrice that of SLV-3, for Low Earth Orbits (LEO).
While building upon the experience gained from the SLV-3 missions, ASLV proved to be a
low cost intermediate vehicle to demonstrate and validate critical technologies, that would be
needed for the future launch vehicles like strap-on technology, inertial navigation, bulbous
heat shield, vertical integration and closed loop guidance.

Under the ASLV programme four developmental flights were conducted. The first
developmental flight took place on March 24, 1987 and the second on July 13, 1988. The
third developmental flight, ASLV-D3 was successfully launched on May 20, 1992, when
SROSS-C (106 kg) was put into an orbit of 255 x 430 km. ASLV-D4, launched on May 4,
1994, orbited SROSS-C2 weighing 106 kg.
With a lift off weight of 40 tonnes, the 24m tall ASLV was configured as a five stage,
all-solid propellant vehicle, with a mission of orbiting 150 kg class satellites into 400 km
circular orbits.
3) Polar Satellite launch vehicle. (PSLV):
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was developed to launch Low Earth Orbit satellites
into Polar and Sun Synchronous Orbits. It has since proved its versatility by launching
Geosynchronous, Lunar and Interplanetary spacecraft successfully.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.
It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. After its first successful
launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch
vehicle of India with 39 consecutively successful missions by june2017. During 1994-2017
period, the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers from
abroad.Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008
and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013 – that later traveled to Moon and Mars respectively
Vehicle Specifications
Height : 44 m Diameter: 2.8 m Number of Stages: 4
Lift Off Mass : 320 tonnes (XL) Variants: 3 (PSLV-G, PSLV - CA, PSLV - XL)
First Flight: September 20, 1993

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Payload Fairing
The PSLV is capable of placing multiple payloads into orbit, thus multi-payload
adaptors are used in the payload fairing. This allowed the feat of launching 10
satellites into different orbits in 2008. More recently, on June 30, 2014, PSLV-
C23 launched SPOT-7, CAN-X4, CAN-X5, AISAT and VELOX-1 into their
designated orbits successfully.

PS4
PS4 is the fourth and final stage of PSLV and it uses two liquid engines for
propulsion. PS4 is responsible for the correct injection of PSLV's payloads into
their respective desired orbits.

PS3
PS3 is the third and penultimate stage of PSLV, and it uses a solid rocket for
propulsion.

PS2
PS2 is the second stage of PSLV and is powered by the Vikas liquid engine,
developed in the early 90s.

PS1
PS1 is the first stage of PSLV and it provides the launcher the high thrust that is
required for lift off. It uses the S139 solid rocket booster that contains 138
tonnes of HTPB.

Strap-on Boosters
While the PSLV-G uses 6 HTPB based solid strap-on motors of 9 tonnes each
and PSLV-XL uses 6 extended strap-ons of 12 tonnes each, the PSLV-CA (core
alone version) does not use any strap-on motors.

Fig.4. Schematics of PSLV

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Technical Specifications:
Payload to SSPO: 1,750 kg
PSLV earned its title 'the Workhorse of ISRO' through consistently delivering various
satellites to Low Earth Orbits, particularly the IRS series of satellites. It can take up to 1,750
kg of payload to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits of 600 km altitude.
Payload to Sub GTO: 1,425 kg
Due to its unmatched reliability, PSLV has also been used to launch various satellites into
Geosynchronous and Geostationary orbits, like satellites from the IRNSS constellation.
Fourth Stage: PS4
The PS4 is the uppermost stage of PSLV, comprising of two Earth storable liquid engines.
Engine : 2 x PS-4 Fuel: MMH + MON Max. Thrust: 7.6 x 2 kN
Third Stage: PS3
The third stage of PSLV is a solid rocket motor that provides the upper stages high thrust
after the atmospheric phase of the launch.
Fuel: HTPB Max. Thrust: 240 kN
Second Stage: PS2
PSLV uses an Earth storable liquid rocket engine for its second stage, know as the Vikas
engine, developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
Engine : Vikas Fuel: UDMH + N2O4 Max. Thrust: 799 kN
First Stage: PS1
PSLV uses the S139 solid rocket motor that is augmented by 6 solid strap-on boosters.
Engine : S139 Fuel: HTPB Max. Thrust: 4800 kN
Strap-on Motors
PSLV uses 6 solid rocket strap-on motors to augment the thrust provided by the first stage in
its PSLV-G and PSLV-XL variants. However, strap-ons are not used in the core alone
version (PSLV-CA).
Fuel: HTPB Max. Thrust: 719 kN

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4) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. (GSLV):

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was developed to launch the heavier
INSAT class of Geosynchronous satellites into orbit. In its third and final stage, GSLV uses
the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) is the largest launch
vehicle developed by India, which is currently in operation. This fourth generation launch
vehicle is a three-stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed
cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which is flight proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II.
From January 2014, the vehicle has achieved four consecutive successes.
Vehicle Specifications
Height : 49.13 m Number of Stages: 3 Lift Off Mass : 414.75 tonnes
First Flight: April 18, 2001
Technical Specifications
Payload to GTO: 2,500 kg
GSLV's primary payloads are INSAT class of communication satellites that operate from
Geostationary orbits and hence are placed in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits by GSLV.
Payload to LEO: 5,000 kg
Further, GSLV's capability of placing up to 5 tonnes in Low Earth Orbits broadens the scope
of payloads from heavy satellites to multiple smaller satellites.
Third Stage: CUS
Developed under the Cryogenic Upper Stage Project (CUSP), the CE-7.5 is India's first
cryogenic engine, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. CE-7.5 has a staged
combustion operating cycle.
Fuel: LOX + LH2 Max. Thrust: 75 kN Burn-time: 720 sec
Second Stage: GS2
One Vikas engine is used in the second stage of GSLV. The stage was derived from the PS2
of PSLV where the Vikas engine has proved its reliability.
Engine : Vikas Fuel: UDMH + N2O4 Max. Thrust: 800 kN
Burntime: 150 sec
First Stage: GS1
The first stage of GSLV was also derived from the PSLV's PS1. The 138 tonne solid rocket
motor is augmented by 4 liquid strap-ons.
Engine : S139 Fuel: HTPB Max. Thrust: 4700 kN Burntime: 100 sec
Strap-on Motors
The four liquid engine strap-ons used in GSLV are heavier derivatives of PSLV's PS2, and
use one Vikas engine each.
Fuel: UDMH + N2O4 Max. Thrust: 680 kN Burntime: 160 sec

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Payload Fairing
At a diameter of 3.4 m, the payload fairing of GSLV is wider than the rest
of the launcher. The fairing provides aerodynamic efficiency and shields
the payload from mechanical damage during the atmospheric phase of
flight.

Third Stage
The cryogenic upper stage of GSLV imparts a high velocity to the
payload and detaches at the periapsis. This high velocity is
characteristic of the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Once the
spacecraft reaches the apoapsis of this high eccentricity orbit, it
performs a burn using its on-board engine to circularise its orbit.

Second Stage
The high thrust hypergolic liquid propellant Vikas engine's newer
improved version with a higher chamber pressure is used here. It is
activated 156 seconds into flight.

First Stage
The first stage of GSLV is ignited 4 seconds after the ignition of the four
strap-ons after ensuring their full functionality. This is required in
order to extract maximum thrust out of the initial stages. The solid
core of the first stage burns for 100 seconds while the strap-ons
continue to provide thrust for another 56 seconds.

Strap-on Boosters
The GSLV uses 4 liquid strap-on motors. The strap-ons are powered
by one Vikas engine each and along with the solid rocket motor core
of the first stage, provide an enormous thrust to the launcher.

Fig.5. Schematic of GSLV

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5)Sounding Rockets:
ISRO launches smaller rockets from the Rohini series on suborbital and atmospheric
flights for aeronomy and meteorological studies. ATV, ISRO's heaviest sounding rocket, can
be used for microgravity experiments and for precursor experiments to characterise new
technologies.
Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the
upper atmospheric regions and for space research. They also serve as easily affordable
platforms to test or prove prototypes of new components or subsystems intended for use in
launch vehicles and satellites. The launch of the first sounding rocket from Thumba near
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963, marked the beginning of the Indian
Space Programme.

6) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III.(GSLV Mk III):

GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO. The
vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.
GSLV Mk III is designed to carry 4ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is about twice the capability of
GSLV Mk II.
The two strap-on motors of GSLV Mk III are located on either side of its core liquid
booster. Designated as ‘S200’, each carries 205 tons of composite solid propellant and their
ignition results in vehicle lift-off. S200s function for 140 seconds. During strap-ons
functioning phase, the two clustered Vikas liquid Engines of L110 liquid core booster will
ignite 114sec after lift -off to further augment the thrust of the vehicle. These two engines
continue to function after the separation of the strap-ons at about 140 seconds after lift -off.
The first experimental flight of LVM3, the LVM3-X/CARE mission lifted off from
Sriharikota on December 18, 2014 and successfully tested the atmospheric phase of flight.
Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment was also carried out in this flight. The
module reentered, deployed its parachutes as planned and splashed down in the Bay of
Bengal.
The first developmental flight of GSLV Mk III, the GSLV-Mk III-D1 successfully
placed GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on June 05, 2017 from
SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Vehicle Specifications

Height : 43.43 m Vehicle Diameter: 4.0 m

Heat Shield (Payload Fairing) Diameter: 5.0 m Number of Stages: 3
Lift Off Mass: 640 tonnes

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Technical Specifications

Payload to GTO: 4,000 kg

GSLV Mk III will be capable of placing the 4 tonne class satellites of the GSAT series into
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits.

Payload to LEO: 8,000 kg

The powerful cryogenic stage of GSLV Mk III enables it to place heavy payloads into Low
Earth Orbits of 600 km altitude.

Cryogenic Upper Stage : C25

The C25 is powered by CE-20, India's largest cryogenic engine, designed and developed by
the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

Cryo Stage Height: 13.5 m Cryo Stage Diameter: 4.0 m Engine :CE-20
Fuel: 28 tonnes of LOX + LH2

Solid Rocket Boosters : S200

GSLV Mk III uses two S200 solid rocket boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust
required for lift off. The S200 was developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

Booster Height:25m Booster Diameter :3.2m Fuel : 205 tonnes of HTPB (nominal)

Core Stage : L110 Liquid Stage

The L110 liquid stage is powered by two Vikas engines designed and developed at the Liquid
Propulsion Systems Centre.

Stage Height: 21 m Stage Diameter: 4 m Engine : 2 x Vikas

Fuel: 110 tonnes of UDMH + N2O4

7) Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD):

Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is one of the most
technologically challenging endeavours of ISRO towards developing essential technologies
for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low cost access to space. The configuration of
RLV-TD is similar to that of an aircraft and combines the complexity of both launch vehicles
and aircraft. The winged RLV-TD has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate
various technologies, namely, hypersonic flight, autonomous landing and powered cruise

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flight. In future, this vehicle will be scaled up to become the first stage of India’s reusable
two stage orbital launch vehicle.

RLV-TD consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings and twin
vertical tails. It also features symmetrically placed active control surfaces called Elevons and
Rudder. This technology demonstrator was boosted to Mach no: 5 by a conventional solid
booster (HS9) designed for low burn rate. The selection of materials like special alloys,
composites and insulation materials for developing an RLV-TD and the crafting of its parts is
very complex and demands highly skilled manpower. Many high technology machinery and
test equipment were utilised for building this vehicle.

Objectives of RLV-TD:

 Hypersonic aero thermodynamic characterisation of wing body

 Evaluation of autonomous Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) schemes
 Integrated flight management
 Thermal Protection System Evaluation

Achievements:
RLV-TD was successfully flight tested on May 23, 2016 from SDSC SHAR
Sriharikota validating the critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance &
control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management.

Fig.6. Reusable launch Vehicle

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Fig.7. Launch Trajectory of RLV-TD

8) Scramjet Engine – TD:

The first experimental mission of ISRO’s Scramjet Engine towards the realisation of
an Air Breathing Propulsion System was successfully conducted on August 28, 2016 from
Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

After a flight of about 300 seconds, the vehicle touched down in the Bay of Bengal,
approximately 320 km from Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its
flight from the ground stations at Sriharikota. With this flight, critical technologies such as
ignition of air breathing engines at supersonic speed, holding the flame at supersonic speed,
air intake mechanism and fuel injection systems have been successfully demonstrated.

The Scramjet engine designed by ISRO uses Hydrogen as fuel and the Oxygen from
the atmospheric air as the oxidiser. This test was the maiden short duration experimental test
of ISRO’s Scramjet engine with a hypersonic flight at Mach 6. ISRO’s Advanced
Technology Vehicle (ATV), which is an advanced sounding rocket, was the solid rocket
booster used for the test of Scramjet engines at supersonic conditions. ATV carrying
Scramjet engines weighed 3277 kg at lift-off.

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6.Conclusion
The first sounding rocket was launched in 1963. The first Indian satellite Aryabhata
was launched in 1975. The second experimental launch of SLV-3 placed Rohini satellite
successfully in orbit in 1980. Apple, an experimental geostationary communications satellite,
was launched in 1981. The INSAT system began in 1983 with the launch of INSAT IB, a
satellite borrowed from abroad. The earth observation system became operational with the
launch of IRS-IA in 1988.

INSAT-2A, the first indigenously built multipurpose satellite, was placed in orbit in
1992. The indigenous PSLV placed IRS-P2 successfully in polar sun synchronous orbit in
1994. The indigenous GSLV placed a test satellite, GSAT-1, in GTO in 2001, making India
one of the six space-faring nations in the world with the capability to launch satellite into
GTO. India also developed its indigenous cryogenic technology and engine. The indigenous
Development of Reusable launch vehicle(RLV-TD) and Scramjet engine is under technology
demonstration phase.

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References

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768x372.png
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Fig.3. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/launch_vehicles.jpg
Fig.4. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/launchers/pslv/pslv.png
Fig.5. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/launchers/gslv/gslv.png
Fig.6. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/article-files/node/4591/rlv-td_home.jpg
Fig.7. https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/article-files/node/4591/mission_profile.jpg

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https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/slv
https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/aslv
https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/pslv
https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/gslv
https://www.isro.gov.in/launchers/gslv-mk-iii
https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/rlv-td
https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/scramjet-engine-td
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_orbital_launchers_families
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_Satellite_Launch_Vehicle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Launch_Vehicle
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