Space Capsule Recovery Experiment Project

Paper number

IAC-07-D2.2.04

Author

Mr. N.P. Giri, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India

Year

2007

Abstract

Space capsule recovery experiment  SRE 1 was Indias first orbital reentry mission and the capsule was recovered successfully near Chennai on 22nd January 2007. The sphere cone flare shaped capsule, after completion of micro gravity experiments in orbit, re entered earths atmosphere and was recovered safely at Bay of Bengal. The mission has helped in laying a strong foundation for the technology of re entry, which can be used for reusable launch vehicles, manned space missions, microgravity processing and sample return missions. SRE mission, was the culmination of effort put for the last five years by a large number of expert teams involved in the development, testing and realization of technology elements required. These teams are spread across the country in various institutions which included ISRO centres, Public sector undertakings, National Laboratories, Academic institutions and Private industries.
SRE project was approved in October 2001. As Indias first orbital recovery mission, the main objective of SRE was to develop and demonstrate orbital reentry and recovery technology.  It has to provide a low cost platform for conducting long duration microgravity experiments in orbit. Further, as SRE was also planned to be a forerunner for our reusable launch vehicles, it was required to develop and prove associated technologies like reusable thermal protection system, Navigation, Guidance and Control for deboost, etc.
The paper highlights the development of the capsule, overall mission, critical technologies involved, and challenges and achievements of  the project.

Abstract document

IAC-07-D2.2.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-D2.2.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.