Space Capsule Recovery – Evaluation Of Risk Factors, Safety Plans And Procedures And Design Of Experiments For Systems Qualification

Paper number

IAC-07-D2.3.01

Author

Mr. N. Narasaiah, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), SDSC SHAR, Astronautical Society of India, India

Coauthor

Mr. Varaprasad Rayi, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), SDSC SHAR, Astronautical Society of India, India

Coauthor

Mr. Vellanki Seshagiri Rao, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Astronautical Society of India, India

Coauthor

Mr. M.K. Sanyal, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), SDSC SHAR, Astronautical Society of India, India

Coauthor

Mr. Krishnamurthy Viswanathan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), SDSC SHAR, Astronautical Society of India, India

Year

2007

Abstract

SRE-1, launched aboard PSLV-C7,  is the first Indian satellite recovered in the Bay of Bengal on January 22, 2007 after its orbital sojourn of 12 days. Apart from serving as a platform for micro-gravity experiments, SRE-1 demonstrated ISRO’s capability in the field of the orbital reentry and recovery technologies.

SDSC SHAR, the Spaceport of India was given the prime responsibility of  assessment of mission risk (nominal, off-nominal and failure conditions), design verification of deceleration system,  floatation system, propellant venting system, pollution monitoring  system, mechanical handling system, target identification / location system, data / voice communication system and the physical recovery of  the module.  It was also  responsible for design and execution of experiments and methodologies for validating  these systems which are critical for the success of  the mission. Coordination with multiple external organizations involved in recovery operations  is an important part of these experiments.

To achieve these objectives,  failure cases leading to land impact were analyzed and risk levels were computed.  A a number of air drop and sea drop tests were conducted by SDSC SHAR involving real time computer network, ground-based tracking and telemetry stations, communication systems, safety and material handling systems, to qualify the target identification and recovery systems.  External agencies such as Indian Coast Guard, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy  also participated  in these experiments. Ground Level Reservoir tests were conducted to test and validate the propellant venting system.

This paper delineates the methodologies designed and implemented at SDSC SHAR for validating these critical sub systems whose functionality finally culminated in the success of the mission, enabling India join the elite group of nations with reentry module  recovery capability. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-D2.3.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-D2.3.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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