Smaller companies partner for ISRO's precursor to first manned mission

SRIHARIKOTA: Chennai-based Valeth Hightech is among the smaller companies that will be joining hands with behemoth’s like Hindustan Aeronautics in ISRO’s experiment aimed at being a precursor to India’s first manned mission.

The company has machined the silica-based tiles that will shield a trapezoidal pod Indian Space Research Organisation will launch into space and bring back to earth in an experiment in December.

The attempt is to test new design features developed for its new-age launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III, which will enable India to launch its heaviest thus far - 4-tonne satellites. A capability that an elite club of US, Russia and China can boast of now.

"Many small companies have contributed to this mission, and Valeth's contribution is critical to the mission safety," says S Unnikrishnan Nair, one of the project directors for Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment.

For ISRO, the challenge lies in frictional heat that can burn up the crew module as it re-enters the atmosphere from the 126-km high point it is expected to touch in this mission.

"The temperature as a result of earth's pull can reach up to 1,600 degree Celcius. To protect the crew module, heat shields are used," said Subba Rao, another scientist at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.

Scientists said the silica cladding covering the module will keep temperature at a lower level. The entire duration of the experiment is close to 1,140 seconds.

The crew module is expected to splash at a point 180 km off Andaman and Nicobar in sea, from where it will be secured by the Indian Coast Guard.

The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 140 crore, with expenses on the crew module alone at Rs 15 crore.