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Space agency ISRO successfully tests hybrid motor to strengthen future rockets

Unlike solid-solid or liquid-liquid combinations, a hybrid motor uses solid fuel and liquid oxidiser, it was noted. "Today's (Tuesday's) test of a flight equivalent 30 kN hybrid motor demonstrated ignition and sustained combustion for the intended duration of 15 seconds.

Space agency ISRO successfully tests hybrid motor to strengthen future rockets AJR
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First Published Sep 21, 2022, 5:00 PM IST

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that it has successfully tested a hybrid motor that could be used in future launch vehicles. The motor, which uses Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel, was tested at the Indian space agency's Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

In a statement, issued by the space agency said that the motor is different from the traditionally used solid-solid or liquid-liquid combinations by Isro and it runs on Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. ISRO also said it is a hybrid motor which is a combination of solid fuel and liquid oxidizer.

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The 30 kN hybrid motor tested at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday is scalable and stackable, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said. 

The test was supported by ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). The motor used Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser. 

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Unlike solid-solid or liquid-liquid combinations, a hybrid motor uses solid fuel and liquid oxidiser, it was noted. "Today's (Tuesday's) test of a flight equivalent 30 kN hybrid motor demonstrated ignition and sustained combustion for the intended duration of 15 seconds.

The motor, developed by scientists at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),  was fired for 15 seconds during which it ensured sustained combustion. The motor is said to be advantageous due to its safe and green propulsion system. 

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"The motor performance was satisfactory", an ISRO statement said. The use of liquids facilitates throttling, and the control over the flow rate of LOX enables the re-start capability, it was explained. 

The test comes just hours after a batch of 36 satellites part of a constellation by UK-based One Web arrived in India to be launched into Low Earth Orbit on a GSLV-MK III. While ISRO is yet to release details of the launch, the lift-off is expected to be conducted in October this year.

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