MRINAL: ISRO’S FIRST SOLID ROCKET PROPELLANT

MRINAL: ISRO’S FIRST SOLID ROCKET PROPELLANT

NEWS

ISRO celebrated 50th anniversary of Mrinal: ISRO’s first solid rocket propellant.

About

On February 21, 1969 ISRO’s first composite solid propellant ‘Mrinal’ was used to fly Rohini series RH-75 sounding rocket, which was designated Dynamic Test Vehicle (DTV), from Thumba.

Mrinal Solid Propellant

• It was first totally indigenous composite propellant manufactured using locally available raw materials.

• It contained raw materials such as polyester resin, ammonium perchlorate and aluminium powder along with nitro-glycerine (worked in static firing and improved its energy and processability).

• It was developed by team at Propellant Engineering Division (PED) of Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC), a precursor to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

• Dr VR Gowarikar was brain behind this composite solid propellant. It was named after Mrinalini Sarabhai, noted classical dancer and wife of Vikram Sarabhai, father of India’s space programme.

• Its success has heralded development of indigenous solid propellant technology in the country. Now, ISRO has mastered indigenous solid propellants and propulsion technology.