ISRO develops lightweight Carbon-Carbon(C-C) Rocket Engine NozzleIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala has developed a light weight Carbon-Carbon(C-C) nozzle for rocket engine.

  • This marks a significant development in rocket engine technology.
  • It will help in enhancing thrust levels, specific-impulse and thrust-to-weight ratios, thereby boosting the payload capacity of launch vehicles.

Key Points:
i.VSSC used advanced materials like C-C composites to create a nozzle divergent as they exhibit unique properties such as: low density, high specific strength and high rigidity, capable of retaining mechanical properties even at increased temperature.
ii.C-C composite has special anti-oxidation coating of Silicon Carbide (SiC) which extends its operational limits in oxidizing environment. Thus, shows high corrosion resistance.
Significance:
i.At present, ISRO uses PS4 (4th stage) PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) which have twin engines with nozzles made from Columbium (now, known as Niobium) alloy.

  • So, these C-C composites will replace metallic divergent nozzles which will help in reducing approximately 67% mass of launch vehicle.

ii.It is expected to increase the payload capacity of PSLV by 15 kg.
Additional Information:
i.The C-C rocket engine nozzle system was tested and tests were conducted in collaboration with Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala which configured and designed the test and ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) which conducted the instrumentation and execution of the test.
ii.IPRC conducted 60-second hot test of the system on 19th March 2024 at High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility in IPRC, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The test confirms the system performance.
iii.Another, 200-second hot test was conducted on 2nd April, 2024 which validated the nozzles capabilities to withstand temperature about 1216K.
About Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO):
Chairman– Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established in 1969