New Delhi:The Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO ) is preparing for a groundbreaking test of its self-made electric thrusters in December, aiming to revolutionize satellite propulsion technology. During the Sardar Patel conference in Akashvani, ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced that the first technology demonstrator satellite (TDS-01) using indigenously developed electric propulsion systems will be launched next month.
TDS-01 will also showcase locally built Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs), crucial components for various microwave remote sensing and communication payloads on satellites. Traditionally, a four-ton communications satellite requires more than two tons of liquid fuel to maneuver from its launch orbit to the desired geostationary orbit. However, Somanath revealed that “in case of electric propulsion, the fuel requirement is reduced to just 200 kg.”
The innovative electric propulsion system (EPS) uses propellant gases such as argon, which are ionized by solar energy, allowing for significant weight reduction. “When you reduce the size of the fuel tank, you also reduce the size of each peripheral. It is a cumulative effect. Therefore, this satellite will not weigh more than two tons, but it will have the power of a four-ton satellite,” Somanath explained.
Despite its advantages, electric propulsion has a drawback: it generates less thrust compared to chemical propulsion, which translates into longer travel times to the desired orbit. “The only problem with electric propulsion is that its thrust is very low. It will take almost three months to reach geographic orbit from launch orbit, compared to a week with chemical thrusters,” he noted.
ISRO’s EPS was first deployed on the South Asian satellite, GSAT-9, launched in May 2017, but that system was imported entirely from Russia.
In addition to TDS-01, Somanath provided an update on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, confirming that the radar antenna reflector is complete. This critical component was transported from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California to ISRO’s spacecraft integration and test facility in Bengaluru, and the integration is scheduled to last approximately two months. “We will be scheduling it for release in February,” Somanath confirmed.
With these advancements, ISRO continues to solidify its position as a leader in space technology, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in satellite design and propulsion.
(With contributions from the agency)
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