By IANS
Chennai : Rocket navigation systems developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are all set to guide the geo-synchronous launch vehicle (GSLV) slated for launch next year.
ISRO tested its new avionics on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) that was launched in April. The vehicle had a second equipment bay – apart from the primary one – housing the navigation and telemetry systems.
With the test results mirroring the ISRO scientists’ expectations, the space agency has decided to induct the indigenous systems into operation, fixing it first in GSLV and later in PSLV rockets.
“The weight of the new navigation system is 185 kg. It is lower than the weight of the existing avionics,” an ISRO official said.
The microprocessor for the new avionics is designed by ISRO and is called Vikram. The chip is faster than the existing one used in rockets.
Meanwhile, ISRO also plans to test its air breathing engines in October. The engine uses atmospheric oxygen from their surroundings to burn it with the on-board fuel. This makes rockets lighter and cheaper than the conventional rockets carrying both oxygen and fuel.