ISRO has successfully tested its first rocket that operates by breathing atmospheric oxygen. The launch occurred at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 7:30 AM yesterday. The Rohini 560 rocket was equipped with an advanced technological vehicle (ATV) featuring a scramjet engine developed by ISRO.
The ATV rocket, flying at six times the speed of sound, used atmospheric oxygen for propulsion and met all 110 specified criteria, reaching the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. This achievement makes India the fourth country to develop an oxygen-breathing rocket, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and Japan. The scramjet engine and its propulsion system were first developed in August 2016.
Traditional rockets require two tanks: one for fuel and one for an oxidizer. In contrast, the ATV rocket uses hydrogen as its primary fuel and relies on atmospheric oxygen, enabling it to reach an altitude of 70 km. This capability is limited to within the Earth’s atmosphere.
Potential to Carry Heavy Satellites
This new system significantly reduces rocket weight and enhances the ability to carry heavier satellites into space. For instance, India’s largest rocket, the LMV-3, weighs 640 tonnes, with 555 tonnes being fuel. Consequently, it can only carry satellites weighing up to four tonnes. By incorporating the scramjet engine, the rocket could carry satellites weighing between eight to ten tonnes and save 385 tonnes of fuel, achieving speeds up to ten times the speed of sound.
