View source for Astronomy:ISRO Propulsion Complex

{{Short description|Wholly owned subsidiary of ISRO}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)
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| logo            = Indian Space Research Organisation Logo.svg
| logo_width      = 100px
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| parent_agency   = [[Astronomy:ISRO|ISRO]]
| jurisdiction    = Department of Space
| headquarters    = Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli district
| employees       = 600+
| budget          = See the budget of [[Astronomy:ISRO|ISRO]]
| chief1_name     = J. Asir Packiaraj <ref>[https://www.iprc.gov.in/iprc/about/iprc.html About IPRC]</ref>
| chief1_position = Director
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| website         = {{URL|www.iprc.gov.in}}
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| pushpin_map     = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position = left
| 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 of Tamil Nadu, is an [[Astronomy:Indian Space Research Organisation|Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) centre involved in testing, assembling, and integrating propulsion systems and stages that are developed at ISRO's [[Astronomy:Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre|Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre]]s. Formerly, IPRC was known as [[Astronomy:Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre|LPSC]], Mahendragiri, functioning under LPSC. It was elevated as an independent centre and renamed as IPRC with effect from 1 February 2014.<ref name="ISRO">{{Cite web|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/isrocentres/iprc.aspx|title=ISRO Centres - ISRO|website=www.isro.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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

It is one of the ISRO centres that could be called as the "Jet Propulsion Laboratory of India" as all liquid, [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket#Cryogenic|cryogenic]] and [[Engineering:Liquid-propellant rocket#Semi-cryogenic|semicryogenic]] stage and engine related tests of ISRO's launch vehicles and satellites are carried out here.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Capabilities==
Following activities are currently carried out at IPRC:<ref name="ISRO" />
*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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/gslvlinked-facilities/article5596658.ece|title=GSLV-linked facilities|website=Frontline}}</ref>
*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 [[Engineering:Apogee kick motor|LAM]] engine and [[Astronomy:Spacecraft attitude control|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|thumb|234x234px|The final long-duration hot fire test of the human-rated L110-G Vikas Engine on PST Mahendragiri]]
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|thumb|CE-20 Engine undergoing its second flight qualification test on the CMEST Test Stand]]









=== 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 






=== Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility (SIET) ===
The Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test Complex (SIET) is a facility 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.

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.

On May 10, 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.

=== High Altitude Test Facility (HATF) ===
[[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|thumb|CE-20 Engine undergoing flight acceptance test at HATF Mahendragiri]]

==See also==
*[[Astronomy:Indian Space Research Organisation|Indian Space Research Organisation]]
*[[Astronomy:Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre|Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre]]
*[[Company:Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre|Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]]
*[[Astronomy:Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan Space Centre]]
*[[Organization:Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology|Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian space programme}}
{{ISRO facilities}}


[[Category:Space programme of India]]
[[Category:Space technology research institutes]]

{{Sourceattribution|ISRO Propulsion Complex}}