National Fertilizer Ltd (NFL) has won an order from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to supply di-Nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), which forms an integral part of the liquid propellant used in launching space rockets.

“We won this contract through a competitive bidding. There were three bidders. We expect to sign a tripartite agreement with ISRO and a Russian party identified by ISRO within a few months,” NFL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Mishra said.

Need for propellants

With Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the space agency, taking up more and more satellite launches from other countries, there is increasing need for rocket propellants. N2O4, also known as Nitrogen Tetroxide, is a powerful oxidiser and an ideal liquid propellant component for satellite launch vehicles.

“The contract is for supplying close to 1,000 tonnes of N2O4 to meet ISRO’s growing need for liquid propellant. A plant for producing N2O4 will soon be set up at our Vijaipur unit in Madhya Pradesh. We have sufficient raw material and competent manpower for it,” Mishra said on the sidelines of a meeting to announce the company’s annual results on Friday.