ISRO to have a new rocket launch pad in Tamil Nadu?
- The Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex, located in the Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, has all the advanced equipment required for a launch.
- Furthermore, the complex is also host to the Chandrayan-2 soft landing test.
- The Mahendragiri Propulsion complex had played a major role in the launch of the GSLV Mk III on June 5th.
FollowImpressed by the advanced equipment facilities in the Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex, ISRO is considering establishment of rocket launch pad at Kulasekarapattinam. P.V. Venkitakrishnan, Director of ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri said, "the successful launch of GSLV Mk III-D1 was a red letter day in the space calendar. More importantly, the rocket achieved success in its maiden launch, unlike SLV, ASLV and PSLV that met encountered snags".
Crediting the Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex for the success of the launch, he said that it was well-equipped with turbo pump, fuel and oxygen pumps and gas generator, which were assembled and the engine was integrated before executing the hot test. Currently, a semi cryo engine was being developed in Mahendragiri and it is likely to be made operational by using purified and highly refined kerosene. Scientists were also planning to replace liquid hydrogen with isrosene or refined kerosene.
Speaking to the Hindu, the director further added that the semi cryo engine would be integrated in the test bed and would successfully be built in the next three to four years. In fact, soft landing test for Chandrayaan-2 was in progress at Mahendragiri.Â
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