Bengaluru: State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today said it has recently delivered the biggest cryogenic propellant tank (C32 LH2) ever fabricated by the company to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), much ahead of the contracted timeline.

The C32-LH2 tank is a developmental cryogenic propellant tank of Aluminium alloy designed for improving the payload capability of GSLV MkIII launching vehicle, a HAL statement said.

HAL Director (Operations) M. S. Velpari handed over the propellant tank to ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre Director Dr V. Narayanan, in the presence of ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Director S. Somanath, in a virtual event.

On the occasion, Somanath said HAL’s contributions to India’s space programme was as a valuable partner of ISRO in its long journey. He also appreciated HAL’s capability in absorbing any technological advancements and developments in productionising any types of space hardware and structures for the space launch vehicle.

Somnath highlighted HAL’s role in developing an ecosystem by sharing the knowledge with private players towards strengthening the supply chain.

Velpari reiterated HAL’s commitment to bring this mutual cooperation and support to the utmost level. He also explained HAL’s preparedness to venture into complete realisation of PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles progressively from raw material stage to launch stage, including managing the entire supply chain of ISRO.

The four-metre diametric tank is of eight-metre length to load 5,755 kg propellant in the 89 cubic metre volume. Total length of weld carried out in the tank was 115 metre at different stages to the quality requirement of 100 per cent tests on radiography, die penetrant check, and leak proof.

“HAL has mastered the skills and technologies required for fabricating welded propellant tank of Aluminium alloy to such stringent quality requirement,” the statement said.

HAL, as a strategic reliable partner, has been associated with ISRO for the prestigious space programmes for the last five decades. HAL has supplied critical structures, tankages, satellite structures for the PSLV, GSLV-MkII and GSLV-MkIII launch vehicle.

Various new projects like PS2/GS2 integration, semi-cryo structure fabrication and manufacture of cryo and semi-cryo engines are being taken up at HAL, for which necessary infrastructure and facilities are being set up and the process is nearing completion.

HAL has also supported ISRO right from the developmental phase of Crew Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment, PAD Abort test for Crew Escape for Human Space Mission, and is currently building hardware for full-fledged launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III for Gaganyaan, India’s human space flight programme.

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