ISRO Propulsion Complex

{{Infobox government agency

| agency_name = ISRO Propulsion Complex

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| logo = Indian Space Research Organisation Logo.svg

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| parent_agency = ISRO

| jurisdiction = Department of Space

| headquarters = Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli district

| employees = 600+

| budget = See the budget of ISRO

| chief1_name = J. Asir Packiaraj [https://www.iprc.gov.in/iprc/about/iprc.html About IPRC]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

| chief1_position = Director

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| website = {{URL|www.iprc.gov.in}}

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| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu

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| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district

| coordinates = {{coord|8.2825479|77.5658637|region:IN-TN|display=inline,title|format=dms}}

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The ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), located at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu, is an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centre involved in testing, assembling, and integrating propulsion systems and stages that are developed at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centres (LPSC). Formerly, IPRC was known as LPSC, Mahendragiri, functioning under LPSC. It was elevated as an independent centre and renamed as IPRC with effect from 1 February 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/isrocentres/iprc.aspx|title=ISRO Centres - ISRO|website=www.isro.gov.in|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927164539/http://www.isro.gov.in/isrocentres/iprc.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/lpsc-at-mahendragiri-elevated/article5641468.ece|title=LPSC at Mahendragiri elevated|date=1 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 August 2020}}

The complex is situated near Panagudi in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/science-and-technology/swadeshi-success/article9731146.ece|title=Swadeshi success|website=Frontline|date=21 June 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-02}}

It is one of the ISRO centres that could be called as the "Jet Propulsion Laboratory of India" as all liquid, cryogenic and semicryogenic stage and engine related tests of ISRO's launch vehicles and satellites are carried out here.{{Cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lpsc-mahendragiri-to-function-as-independent-unit-minister-114013100771_1.html|title=LPSC Mahendragiri to function as independent unit: Minister|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 January 2014|via=Business Standard}}

Capabilities

Following activities are currently carried out at IPRC:

Assembly, integration and testing of launch vehicle motors and stages
Servicing of launch vehicle motors and stages
Propellant storage
Sea level and high altitude tests of Vikas, PS2/GS2, PS4, L40, L110, S200, CE-7.5 and CE-20 cryogenic engines, and steering engines{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/gslvlinked-facilities/article5596658.ece|title=GSLV-linked facilities|website=Frontline|date=22 January 2014 }}
L40 and CE-7.5 development and qualification tests
Assembly and integration of flight stages PS2/GS2, PS4, L40 for PSLV and GSLV missions
Assembly and integration of LAM engine and AOCS thruster for satellites

Facilities

= Principal Test Stand (PST) =

File:Vikas Engine being hot tested for duration of 240 seconds at Principal Test Stand of IPRC Mahendragiri.jpg

The Principle Test Stand is the oldest facility at IPRC Mahendragiri and was designed to test the Vikas Engine and other hypergolic engines. It consists of two sections, one for engine testing and the other for full stage integrated tests, ensuring accurate evaluation of various performance characteristics and seamless integration of critical components.

File:CE20 Engine 640 second test Back.jpg

= Cryo Main Engine Static Test Facility (CMEST) =

The CMEST was set up for testing ISRO's cryogenic engines, specifically the CE-7.5 and CE-20.

= Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET) =

The Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine Test Complex (SIET) is a facility handling large flow of propellants. It is 51 metres tall and has 30 metres flame deflector depth.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 February 2024 |title=PM Modi to inaugurate technical facilities of Isro in Kerala on Tuesday |url=https://www.business-standard.com/amp/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-technical-facilities-of-isro-in-kerala-on-tuesday-124022600465_1.html |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Business Standard}} It was originally designed for testing the SCE-200 Semi-Cryogenic kerolox engine. This engine is a crucial component of the LVM3 launch vehicle future upgrade, replacing the pair of Vikas engines on its first stage. The SIET was constructed with the aim of conducting tests on the SCE-200 engine, and it was completed by the end of 2022. As part of three space infrastructure projects totaling ₹1,800 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated SIET from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) on 27 February 2024.{{cite news |date=27 February 2024 |title=PM visits Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Inaugurates three important space infrastructure projects worth about Rs 1800 crores |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2009320 |access-date=1 January 2025 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |agency=Prime Minister's Office, Government of India}}{{Cite news |last= |date=2024-02-27 |title=Watch {{!}} PM Modi inaugurates 3 major space projects of ISRO {{!}} Today News |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-inaugurates-3-major-space-infrastructure-projects-of-isro-in-kerala-watch-11709014342909.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240913055542/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-inaugurates-3-major-space-infrastructure-projects-of-isro-in-kerala-watch-11709014342909.html |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2025-01-01 |work=mint |language=en}} Tests of locally produced engines and its essential subsystems, such as gas generators and turbo pumps, will be conducted at the new testing facility.{{Cite web |last=Ramesh |first=Sandhya |date=2024-03-03 |title=Why ISRO’s new testing facility for home-grown cryogenic engines is key to India's astronaut dream |url=https://theprint.in/science/why-isros-new-testing-facility-for-home-grown-cryogenic-engines-is-key-to-indias-astronaut-dream/1985476/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}

The facility consists of a visitors center, which is connected to the Test Control Center (TCC), allowing visitors to observe and learn about the testing procedures. The TCC is a critical element of the complex as it enables engineers and technicians to monitor the tests and make real-time adjustments to ensure their success. This facility has in-house control and data collecting systems and is capable of testing engines with thrusts up to 2,600 kN.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Chethan |date=2025-03-29 |title=Isro achieves milestone in semi-Cryo engine development with key test |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isro-advances-semi-cryogenic-engine-development-with-successful-key-test-/articleshow/119697593.cms |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

In July 2023, a significant milestone was achieved when the SCE-200 hot section was successfully tested on the stand. This marked a significant achievement in the development of the engine and the progress towards its integration into various launch vehicles.{{Cite news |last=Rajwi |first=Tiki |date=2024-02-26 |title=ISRO’s Semi-Cryogenic Engine and Stage Test Facility at Mahendragiri |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/semi-cryogenic-integrated-engine-and-stage-test-facility-at-mahendragiri-to-boost-isros-efforts-to-develop-semi-cryogenic-engines-in-india/article67887701.ece |access-date=2025-01-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} On 2 May 2024, ISRO conducted the first ignition trial for SCE-200 at SIET.{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Soumya |date=2024-05-06 |title=ISRO completes key test for India’s first semi-cryogenic engine to better future launches |url=https://theprint.in/science/isro-completes-key-test-for-indias-first-semi-cryogenic-engine-to-better-future-launches/2072217/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}

= High Altitude Test Facility (HATF) =

The High Altitude Test Facility is used for hot testing cryogenic engines, including in vacuum conditions.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 March 2025 |title=ISRO’s hot testing of cryogenic engine successful |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2025/Mar/16/isros-hot-testing-of-cryogenic-engine-successful |access-date=22 May 2025 |website=The New Indian Express |language=}}

Incidents

In 2017, three employees, including two senior officials of ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri were suspended pending enquiry for alleged procedural lapses.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-15 |title=Three ISRO officials suspended for lapses |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/Jul/15/three-isro-officials-suspended-for-lapses-1628909.html |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}

In September 2017, an unexplained explosion took place in the vicinity of the ISRO Propulsion Complex and local said they saw smoke emanating from the ISRO facility. However, a spokesperson said the "[i]ncident happened outside the building and has nothing to do with ISRO."{{Cite web |last=Fuwad |first=Ahamad |last2= |first2= |date=2017-09-24 |title=Mysterious explosion outside ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri; 'not ours', says space agency |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-mysterious-explosion-outside-isro-propulsion-complex-in-mahendragiri-hills-tirunelveli-tamil-nadu-403085 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}

In mid-2023, it was reported that the propulsion complex had terminates the first hot test on an intermediate configuration of the semi-cryogenic engine following an unanticipated spike in the turbine pressure and subsequent loss of turbine speed. The July 1 test that had to be terminated was said to be part of efforts to develop a 2,000 Kilonewton thrust semi-cryogenic engine.{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2023-07-03 |title=ISRO terminates semi-cryogenic engine test after a sudden spike in turbine pressure and speed |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/karnataka/isro-terminates-semi-cryogenic-engine-test-after-a-sudden-spike-in-turbine-pressure-and-speed/na20230703171515125125160 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}File:CE-20 Engine No.6 going through 25 seconds long flight acceptance test at High Altitude Test facility of IPRC Mahendragiri on 11 Oct 2018.jpg