Green Propulsion for India’s Human Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’

Context:

India’s human space mission Gaganyaan is likely to use a green propellant to avoid all toxic and hazardous materials as a propellant.

What is Green Propulsion?

• Green Propulsion is a green alternative for the conventional chemical propulsion systems for future spacecraft.
• This is called a “green” fuel because when combusted it transforms into nontoxic gasses.
• Example: Hydroxylammonium nitrate (NH3OHNO3) fuel/oxidizer blend which is also known as AF-M315E is one example of green propellant.

Significance

• Efficient: The green propulsion system seeks to improve overall propellant efficiency.
• It delivers a higher specific thrust delivered to per given quantity of fuel.
• It strives to optimize the performance of the hardware, systems, and power solutions.
• This is easier and safer for storage and handling.
• Less toxic: It will reduce the handling concerns which are associated with the toxic fuel hydrazine.
• Lower cost: It requires a potentially shorter launch processing period and results in lowering costs.

Gaganyaan

• This is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft for the formative spacecraft of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme under ISRO.
  • The spacecraft is designed to carry three people.
  • The mission will have two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
• It will encircle Earth in a low-earth-orbit with an altitude of 300-400 km from earth.
• GSLV Mk III (LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)) the three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle, will be used for the launch of Gaganyaan.