While scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) bask in the glory of yet another stupendous feat of sending 104 satellites into space, celebrations and mutual congratulations also resounded at the ASACO factory on the city outskirts.
Once again, the firm played its role in the success of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which put the satellites into orbit by building the crucial first-stage Roll Control System (RCS) and valve components and also the fourth-stage engines of PSLV or PS4.
“The PSLV launch begins with the RCS engines and ends with the PS4 engines. Both are made by us from machining of all the components like critical injectors, electron beam welding and complete integration of engines,” says Ajit Mohandas, Joint Managing Director of ASACO. Design for fabrications are given by the ISRO with its scientists keeping a close watch on the making of the components. “Two fourth-stage engines are used in each launch and these actually have put the 104 satellites into the orbit. We are the only company in India making these engines. We are proud and humbled at the same time,” he says. The firm has delivered more than 185 integrated PS4 engines till date with “zero defect and no rejections” over the years and these were used on all PSLV launches. Located opposite IIT-Hyderabad in Sangareddy district, the ASACO, founded in 1969 by his father K. Mohandas, moved to precision components for use in aerospace and defence industry after initial forays into making industrial machines.
It has been making PS4 engine parts since 1986 and from 2008, complete integrated PS4 engines are being delivered to ISRO for its launch vehicles. Critical engines and valves for PSLVs for ‘Mangalyaan’ – MOM or Mars Orbiter Mission and Moon Mission or ‘Chandrayan’ were also made here.
Focus is now on manufacturing critical assemblies “for the engine of future – developing the semi-cryogenic engine with the support and encouragement from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO”, adds Mr. Mohandas, an alumni of HPS-Begumpet and IIT (BHU).
