Reusable technology, air breathing propulsion and human spaceflights are the three important future programmes for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Mr P.S. Veeraraghavan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said this while speaking at a function here.

MEMORIAL LECTURE

He was delivering the first Ramanathan Natarajan memorial technical lecture in honour of the late mentor of the Tata Elxsi centre (since renamed after him).

The topic of the lecture held here on Wednesday was ‘Autonomous access to space – Opportunities and challenges.’ Reusable launch vehicle technology will facilitate low-cost access to space, Mr Veeraraghavan said.

This offers a cost-effective alternative to using expendable technology involving the ‘use and throw’ option.

It will use a semi-cryo fly-back booster and a cryogenic orbiter. The entire knowhow would be reused and would feature a targeted (low-earth orbit) payload.

A technology demonstration mission has been envisaged to learn this technology. The launch mission requires advanced thermal protection system and exotic material.

REVOLUTIONARY MISSION

A robust guidance auto pilot system is also needed to make the programme highly reliable. On completion, this is expected to bring about a revolution in terms of cheaper space transportation, he added.

Prevailing costs per kg of $20,000 is expected to be brought down to a tenth or even a hundredth. Similarly, air-breathing propulsion also proposes a cost-effective option for launch technology.

Liquid oxidiser load, which accounts for up to 60 per cent of the propulsion system, could be wished away in this manner. This technology is already being used in hypersonic aircrafts by advanced countries.

HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT

“But we are not far away from adapting this technology. A sounding rocket programme featuring an air breathing module is going to be tested soon,” Mr Veeraraghavan said.

As far as the human spaceflight programme is concerned, ISRO has set into motion pre-project studies. A proposal has been submitted to the Government, but it has not been cleared.

This is an advanced mission and requires critical technological capabilities. An entirely new module is needed for astronauts with advanced environment control and life support systems.

Also needed is an astronaut escape system during the launch as also space suites, and advanced reliability and safety engineering.

>vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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