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3D-printed cryogenic engine
Context
The Skyroot Aerospace has successfully test-fired 3D-printed fully-cryogenic rocket engine at a private propulsion test facility.
Background:
- Cryogenic engines are one of the hardest to develop and so far only six countries have these launch vehicles including the US, China, Russia, France, Japan, and India.
- India used its first GSLV in 2001.
About the launch:
- The 3D-printed cryogenic engine was fired for a record 200 seconds, named ‘Dhawan-II’.
- The test was carried out at Solar Industries propulsion test facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, using indigenously developed mobile cryogenic engine test pad.
- Dhawan-II engine builds upon the foundation laid by the firm’s first privately developed fully-cryogenic rocket engine, the 1.0 kN thrust Dhawan – I, successfully test fired in November 21, 2022.
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The Skyroot aerospace has launched, Vikram – S, which made the firm, the first Indian private company to send a rocket into space. |
- The 3D printed Dhawan – II engine also uses a 3D printed torch igniter and cryo-injection valve with quick response time.
- Developed by:
- The engine development was partly supported by NITI Ayog’s ANIC-ARISE program which promotes technologies including the use of green rocket propellants.
Cryogenic rocket engine technology – ‘Dhawan-II’:
- The engine has been completely 3D printed and made in India.
- A super-alloy for 3D printing the engine was used which reduced the manufacturing time by 95%.
- A cryogenic Engine is an engine that uses in space vehicles that utilize cryogenics.
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The study of how materials behave and are produced at extremely low temperatures (below -150 degrees Celsius) in order to lift and launch heavier objects into space is known as cryogenics. |
- The major components of a cryogenic rocket engine are combustion/thrust chamber, igniter, fuel injector, fuel cryo pumps, oxidizer cryo pumps, gas turbine, cryo valves, regulators, the fuel tanks and a rocket engine nozzle.
- Fuel used:
- While all cryogenic engines in use today use a combination of liquid oxygen and hydrogen as fuel, the Skyroot cryogenic engine will use Liquid Natural gas (LNG) and Liquid Oxygen (LoX) as propellants.
- LNG, which is more than 90% methane, is considered the rocket fuel of the future.
Significance:
- More efficiency to carry payloads: The cryogenic rocket engines, which greatly enhances payload-carrying capabilities.
- Fuels used are environmentally friendly compared to other solid, semi-cryogenic and hypergolic propellants used in rocket industry.
- Other advantages of the LNG propulsion system include:
- lower risk of explosion
- less costly propellants and
- The fuel is less evaporable in space that makes it suitable for a vehicle that travels to space for a prolonged period.
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