HAL Delivers Key Semi-Cryogenic Propellant Tank to ISRO

BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday said that the heaviest semi-cryogenic propellant tank (SC120- LOX) it has ever fabricated has been delivered to Indian Space Research Organization (Isro).

“The semi cryo-liquid oxygen (LOX) tank – the first developmental welded hardware is a part of the SC120 stage intended for payload enhancement by replacing the L110 stage in existing GSLV-Mk3 launch vehicle,” a statement issued here read.

Last year, HAL had delivered the biggest ever cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen tank (C32-LH2) which is four meters in diameter and eight meters in length, much ahead of contractual schedule.

“HAL has mastered skills and technologies required for fabricating welded propellant tanks. Till date, our aerospace division has delivered 244 propellant tanks and 95 water tanks to Isro for the space programmes of PSLV, GSLV Mk2 and GSLV Mk3 of diameter 2.1, 2.8 and 4 meters where the length of the tank varies from 2.5 meters to 8.0 meters,” the PSU said.

HAL, a strategic partner of Isro for around five decades, has delivered critical structures, tankages, satellite structures for the PSLV, GSLV-Mk2 and GSLV-Mk3 launch vehicles.

“…Various new projects like PS2/GS2 integration, semi-cryo structure fabrication and manufacturing of cryo and semi cryo engines are being taken up at HAL, for which installation and commissioning of unique infrastructures are nearing completion,” HAL added.

Further, HAL also supported Isro on Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE), Pad Abort Test (PAT) for Crew Escape for human space mission and is currently supplying hardware for full-fledged launch vehicle GSLV Mk3 for Gaganyaan.

Source: ToI