ISRO Unveils 10-Tonne Indigenous Propellant Mixer For Solid Motors

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully developed an indigenously built 10-tonne propellant mixer for solid motors. This marks a significant advancement in India’s space technology capabilities.

The Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru—an R&D organisation under the Ministry of Heavy Industries—developed the high-capacity mixer.

Weighing approximately 150 tonnes, the vertical mixer measures 5.4 metres in length, 3.3 metres in breadth, and 8.7 metres in height.

ISRO stated, “Realisation of indigenous 10-tonne vertical mixer is a true testament to India’s growing technological prowess, self-reliance, and unwavering commitment to innovation.”

“Department of Space has undertaken multiple initiatives towards indigenous development of critical technologies, materials, and machinery as part of ‘Atmanirbharatain Space’,” the agency further added.

The 10-tonne vertical mixer is considered the world’s largest for processing solid propellants – a key technological achievement.

Solid propellants play a crucial role in rocket motors, requiring precise mixing of highly sensitive and hazardous materials.

The vertical mixer, developed in collaboration with academia and industry, has successfully completed factory-level acceptance tests.

The mixer, designed to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency in heavy solid motor production, features multiple hydrostatic-driven agitators. A PLC-based control system integrated with SCADA stations enables its remote operation.

The Director of CMTI officially handed over the mixer to the Director of SDSC SHAR last week in Bengaluru.

Key features of the system include:

• High-capacity mixing of propellant ingredients in a single batch,
• Precision control for quality consistency, and
• Robust design ensuring safe handling of hazardous materials

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