ISRO to use kerosene as propellant to launch satellites

After the success of prestigious Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (GSLV Mk-III) on June 5, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to test semi-cryogenic engine which uses refined kerosene as propellants. The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO in Valiyamala, Thiruvananthapuram, is now focusing on developing the much-delayed semi-cryogenic technology.

At present semi-cryogenic engines are using a combination of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the propellant. ISRO plans to replace liquid hydrogen with refined kerosene (Isrosene) while retaining LOX as an oxidiser. 

"We are still conducting tests and have already tested three among the four engines. The tests are being carried out at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.

The aim is to ready the engines by 2019 and the stage by 2020 and the first flight in 2021, LPSC director S Somanath said. 

GSLV Mk-II and GSLV Mk-III had used the cryogenic engine developed by LPSC, and the latter used a much stronger one than the first. The plan is to replace the second stage of GSLV Mk-III, which now uses a liquid stage and semi-cryo. The third stage will be the same,  the cryogenic upper.

Inducting semi-cryogenic stage will help to increase the payload capacity of GSLV Mk-III from four tonnes to six tonnes. Refined kerosine has more advantages as i is cost-effective and eco-friendly. Further refined kerosene can be stored at normal temperature while liquid hydrogen must be stored at -253°C.

The project had got clearance in 2008 at an estimated cost of ₹1798 crore. 

• ISRO
• Cryogenic engines