In two recently-released tenders, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), which is responsible for India’s cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines, has solicited private sector participation to propel its engine development.
The first tender calls for companies to set up and operate an Additive Manufacturing (AM), Metal 3D-Printing facility on its premises in Valiamala, Kerala. The LPSC states that this is meant to “leap frog the application of additive manufacturing technology by riding piggy back on an experienced vendor”. For this project, LPSC aims to eventually be run its own AM facility with the ability to design and print components for its cryogenic and semi-cryogenic rocket engines, as well as for geostationary satellite propulsion systems.
Among the requirements for the facility is a Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) machine (a 3D-printing machine) with a 400m3 build volume, larger than the EOS M280 used by SpaceX to manufacture its SuperDraco engine in 2013. A possible candidate for the project is Intech DMLS, a Bangalore-based company that manufactured India’s first jet engine earlier this year.
LPSC’s second tender calls for a vendor to provide contract staff to assist in the development of cryogenic engines and stages, and specifically mentions the CUS (Cryogenic Upper Stage), C25 (the engine used on the GSLV MKIII), and Semicryo engines. The contract staff, who will be involved in 3D-modelling, fabrication, and other tasks, will work alongside ISRO personnel; altogether there are 66 roles to be filled.
The two tenders are a good indication that ISRO is widening the scope of private sector involvement in India’s space industry. Although large Indian public companies such as HAL and Godrej have contributed to ISRO’s rocket engines, there has been a push from India’s private sector for ISRO to open up and help build India’s commercial space sector.
