Reusable technology, air breathing propulsion and human spaceflights are the three important future programmes for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Mr P. S. Veeraraghavan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said this while speaking at a function here.
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) here.
The topic of the lecture was ‘Autonomous access to space — Opportunities and challenges.’
Reusable launch vehicle technology would facilitate low-cost access to space, Mr Veeraraghavan said.
It would use a semi-cryo fly-back booster, a cryogenic orbiter and a targeted (low-earth orbit) payload.
A technology demonstration mission has been envisaged for the technology. The launch mission would require advanced thermal protection system made of exotic materials.
Revolutionary mission
A robust guidance auto pilot system is also needed to make the programme reliable.
On completion, this is expected to bring about a revolution in terms of cheaper space transportation, he added. The prevailing cost of $20,000 per kg is expected to be brought down to a tenth or a hundredth.
Similarly, air-breathing propulsion proposes a cost-effective option for launch technology.
The liquid oxidiser load, which accounts for up to 60 per cent of the propulsion system, could thus be avoided. This technology is already being used in hypersonic aircrafts by advanced countries.
“But we are not far away from adopting this technology. A sounding rocket programme featuring an air breathing module is to be tested soon,” Mr Veeraraghavan said.
Human spaceflight
ISRO has also set in motion pre-project studies for a human spaceflight programme. 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.