Probably, it is difficult to define ‘Rocket Science’. It is perceived as something too complicated, right from the basic design, to the composite materials used, to mathematical proficiency and metallurgy, undergirding the design and so on.
Beyond the complex intricacies of technology and manufacturing requirements of the proverbial ‘Rocket Science’, the more consequential chapter the Public Sector Undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has written is the move towards greater indigenisation.
Indigenisation is not a mere sum total of creating a manufacturing ecosystem where indigenous development can thrive, but it is equally about getting the end-users.
The manufacturer is HAL and the end-user is the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The product is – hardware for space mission “Gaganyaan”, a product of indigenous effort. Not only this, the HAL has also commissioned the integration facility for space launchers.
In an important step towards the Government of India’s vision of making India Atmanirbhar and a global leader in the space arena, what HAL has delivered is its heaviest semi-cryogenic propellant tank (SC120- LOX) ever fabricated. This is a semi cryo-liquid oxygen tank – the first developmental welded hardware, which is a part of the SC120 stage, intended for payload enhancement by replacing the L110 stage in the existing Mk-III launch vehicle.
HAL had delivered the biggest ever cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen tank (C32-LH2) last year, which is four metres in diameter and eight metres in length. HAL did it much ahead of the contractual schedule.
As a matter of fact, this is not the first time when HAL has proven it’s prowess in the field of skills and technologies required for fabricating welded propellant tanks. The Aerospace Division of HAL has delivered 244 propellant tanks and 95 water tanks to ISRO for the space programmes of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs), Geo-stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-II, and GSLV Mk-III of diameter 2.1, 2.8, and 4 metres where the length of the tank varies from 2.5 to 8 metres. HAL has also delivered critical structures, tankages, satellite structures for PSLV, GSLV-MkII, and GSLV-MkIII launch vehicles to ISRO. These all are ISRO’s major rockets, often called ISRO’s workhorses. Several other new projects with HAL for unique infrastructures are also nearing completion, including PS2/GS2 integration, Semi-cryo structure fabrication, and manufacturing of cryo and semi cryo engines. The PS2 stage is the second stage of PSLV launch vehicle in which earth storable propellants are used for propulsion.
The Gaganyaan mission is the ambitious mission of ISRO, which would see Indian launch its first astronauts to space. The Gaganyaan mission includes a total of three launches. The first crewed flight will follow two unmanned launches, the first of which is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2022 followed by the second launch at the end of the same year. After the first unmanned mission, ISRO would conduct another launch wherein a spacefaring robot named “Vyommitra” will be carried into space. “Vyommitra” is developed by the ISRO. Four Indian Air Force Officers are undergoing training at an astronaut training facility in Bengaluru for the third and the manned mission. According to an official release by the Ministry of Science & Technology, the designing process of all systems of Gaganyaan are complete and the activities related to development of microgravity experiments have commenced.
In fact, more than 500 Industries are involved in the project. Besides them, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos is delivering space suits, crew seats and viewports, and the French Space Agency the CNES is also delivering some specific parts.
The objective of Gaganyaan is to demonstrate the Indian Space Research Organisation’s capability to send humans to low earth orbit onboard on Indian Launch Vehicle and bring them back to earth safely.
Even before the take off of Gaganyaan, India’s space programme has been known for credible and cost-effective space launch missions and India has emerged as a hub for cost-effective satellite launches.
How the ecosystem firmed up?
It all got a boost by the opening up of India’s space sector. On 1st October, 2021 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the opening up of India’s space sector with the launch of the Indian Space Association (ISpA) – the premier industry association of space and satellite companies.
Speaking on that occasion Prime Minister Modi has said “For 75 years since independence, Indian space has been dominated by a single umbrella of Indian government and government institutions. Scientists of India have made huge achievements in these decades, but the need of the hour is that there should be no restrictions on Indian talent, whether it is in the public sector or in the private sector… Let this collective power of India’s population take the space sector forward in an organised manner.”
ISpA also works towards building global linkages for the Indian space industry to bring in critical technology and investments into the country to create more high skill jobs. The founding members of ISpA include Bharti Airtel, Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Alpha Design Technologies. Other core members include Godrej, Hughes India, Ananth Technology Limited, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, BEL, Centum Electronics, Maxar India.
This bold and visionary move unleashed reforms across industries and the Indian space industry moved on with a strong ‘Make in India’ element. The large Indian talent pool, growing prowess of home grown technology, startups and private enterprises together took a giant leap in the space arena. This built a formidable homegrown foundation for the next phase of growth, as was reflected in the launch of the lowest cost mission to the Moon and Mars.
