The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing a range of environment-friendly propellants to power its launch vehicles and satellite thrusters.

Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), K. Sivan said here on Thursday that efforts were on to develop a green monopropellant based on ammonium dinitramide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN) as a replacement for hydrazine.

Delivering the fourth M.R. Kurup memorial lecture organised by the High Energy Materials Society of India, he said another project was focussed on the development of nitrous oxide fuel blend as an environment-friendly propellant for satellite thrusters. Simultaneous efforts were on to develop a cryogenic engine with higher thrust (CE20) and a semi cryogenic engine for the booster stage to power ISRO’s future heavy lift vehicles. Together, these would have significant improvements in the payload and cost. Dr. Sivan said the development of electric propulsion system for use in satellites was also underway. ISRO was working on plans to fly a GSAT class satellite with electric propulsion. He explained that the green propellants would reduce the potential hazard to human handlers and the environment and significantly reduce the associated handling costs.

He said ISRO and other space agencies had initiated the development of future propulsion systems like laser energy, nuclear power and variable specific impulse magneto- plasma rocket for interplanetary missions. ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar presented the HEMSI M.R. Kurup endowment award to K.N. Ninan and C.B. Kartha, former Deputy Directors, VSSC.