Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated three important space infrastructure projects worth around Rs 1800 crores.
- The projects include the PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; the new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’ at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri; and ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram.
PSLV Integration Facility (PIF)
- The PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota will help in boosting the frequency of PSLV launches from 6 to 15 per year.
- This state-of-the-art facility can also cater to the launches of SSLV and other small launch vehicles designed by private space companies.
Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’
- The new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’ at IPRC Mahendragiri will enable the development of semi-cryogenic engines and stages which will increase the payload capability of the present launch vehicles.
- The facility is equipped with liquid Oxygen and kerosene supply systems to test engines up to 200 tons of thrust.
Trisonic Wind Tunnel
- Wind tunnels are essential for aerodynamic testing for the characterisation of rockets and aircraft during flight in the atmospheric regime.
- The “Trisonic Wind Tunnel” at VSSC being inaugurated is a complex technological system which will serve our future technology development needs.