ISRO’s new hybrid propulsion system
- Category
Science & Technology
- Published
23rd Sep, 2022
-
Context
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested a hybrid motor,ISRO at Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Tamil Nadu.
About
About the tested hybrid motor:
- The motor used Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser.
- While both HTPB and LOX are green, LOX is safer to handle.
- The hybrid motor demonstrated ignition and sustained combustion for the intended duration of 15 seconds.
Features of the motor:
- The 30 kN hybrid motor is scalable and stackable.
- The use of liquids helps throttling and the control over the flow rate of LOX enables the re-start capability.
- Unlike solid-solid or liquid-liquid combinations, a hybrid motor uses solid fuel and liquid oxidiser.

ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)
- ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) formerly Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Mahendragiri (LPSC-M), is located near Kanyakumari at Mahendragiri Hills, Tamil Nadu.
- It is the major testing hub of ISRO's liquid propulsion systems.
- The role of IPRC is to carry out research for the development of liquid propulsion systems both for Satellites and Satellite Launch Vehicles.
- It is responsible for the development, qualification and acceptance testing of sub-systems and systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft projects.