ISRO develops light-weight, innovative nozzle for rocket engines, terms it 'breakthrough'
Bengaluru (PTI): ISRO said it has achieved a breakthrough in rocket engine technology with the development of a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines, enhancing payload capacity.
This innovation accomplished by the space agency's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) promises to enhance the vital parameters of rocket engines, including thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios, thereby boosting the payload capacity of launch vehicles, it said.
Thiruvananthapuram-based VSSC leveraged advanced materials like Carbon-Carbon (C-C) composites to create a nozzle divergent that offers exceptional properties, an ISRO statement said.
By utilising processes such as carbonisation of green composites, chemical vapor Infiltration, and high-temperature treatment, it has produced a nozzle with low density, high specific strength, and excellent stiffness, capable of retaining mechanical properties even at elevated temperatures, it said.
A key feature of the C-C nozzle is its special anti-oxidation coating of silicon carbide, which extends its operational limits in oxidising environments. This innovation not only reduces thermally induced stresses but also enhances corrosion resistance, allowing for extended operational temperature limits in hostile environments, according to ISRO.
The potential impact of this development is significant, particularly for the ISRO's workhorse launcher, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PS4, the fourth stage of the PSLV, currently employs twin engines with nozzles made from columbium alloy. However, by replacing these metallic divergent nozzles with C-C counterparts, a mass reduction of approximately 67 per cent can be achieved, the space agency said.
This substitution is projected to increase the payload capability of the PSLV by 15 kg, a notable enhancement for space missions.
The successful testing of the C-C nozzle divergent marked a major milestone for ISRO. On March 19, 2024, a 60-second hot test was conducted at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility in ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu, confirming the system's performance and hardware integrity.
"Subsequent tests, including a 200-second hot test on April 2, 2024, further validated the nozzle's capabilities, with temperatures reaching 1216 K, matching predictions," the release said.
The collaborative effort involved the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Valiamala near Thiruvananthapuram which designed and configured the test, and IPRC, which conducted the instrumentation and execution of the tests at its HAT facility, it was noted.
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Bhatkal: In an incident reported on Monday, the executive committee members of Majlis Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal expressed their dissatisfaction towards former Karnataka minister R. V. Deshpande during a gathering held at the Majlis Islah wa Tanzeem office in Bhatkal on Monday.
According to reports, the executive members expressed their discontent over the lack of support and assistance from Deshpande over the years, despite consistently voting in his favor in multiple elections. Tensions escalated during a meeting on Sunday, where Deshpande and Karnataka minister Mankal S. Vaidya visited the Tanzeem to discuss the upcoming general elections scheduled for May 7th in the Uttara Kannada district.
Allegations were made by the Tanzeem members that their longstanding support for Deshpande over the past three decades had not translated into tangible benefits for the Bhatkal constituency or its residents. This led to a heated exchange between the members and Deshpande, with the former minister expressing surprise and hurt at the claims made against him.
Abdul Raqeeb MJ, the General Secretary of Majlis Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal, confirmed the discontent among Tanzeem members, stating that there has been a growing dissatisfaction against Deshpande among the people of Bhatkal for several years. He criticized Deshpande for what was perceived as a lack of significant contributions to the development of Bhatkal and surrounding areas, especially in comparison to neighboring districts and constituencies.
"There is a General anger against the Congress party in general and Deshpande in particular. Because we have been seeing him as the senior most politician in the region and one who has sought votes from our community in all the elections in the last four decades but has not worked for the development of Bhatkal and the Muslim community here. He always believes that people of Bhatkal are rich and can take care of their development by themselves and that they do not need aid from the government or the ministries." He said.
Raqeeb also severely criticised the Congress party for what he described as neglecting the Muslim community on core issues such as triple talaq and hijab controversies, despite relying on their votes. He emphasized that while the Muslim community has consistently supported the Congress party, their concerns have often been overlooked, leaving them to face challenges alone.
Regarding the elections, Raqeeb mentioned that the Tanzeem is collaborating with other Muslim organizations in the Uttara Kannada district to address their concerns and issues, including those at the national level, with the Congress candidate.
The altercation reportedly led to a few members losing their composure, but the situation was eventually brought under control. Deshpande, while leaving the premises, expressed his dismay at being blamed for the lack of development in Bhatkal and its surrounding areas.
