When Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully put Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits last month, joyous scenes were witnessed not only at Sriharikota but also at the city suburbs of Kandi in Sangareddy district.
Here, right opposite the IIT-Hyderabad, lies a nondescript firm, ASACO, which has been playing a significant role albeit in a low profile manner in several of the launches as they have mastered the manufacturing of complete integrated PS4 engines or the fourth stage engines of the PSLV under ISRO tutelage.
In fact, 13 minutes 26 seconds after the lift-off of the latest launch, Microsat-R was successfully injected into the intended orbit of 274 km. Soon after, the fourth stage or PS4 of PSLV was moved to a higher circular orbit of 453 km after two restarts to establish an orbital platform and Kalamsat-V2, the student payload is the first to use it, said Ajit Mohandas, joint managing director of ASACO.
“We are the only company in India manufacturing the complete integrated PS4 engines of PSLV and we have been doing all the engine chamber parts since 1986. ASACO has been the sole supplier of these engines from 2008 and also the ‘PS1 RCT Engines’ including assembly of the first stage roll control system,” says Ajit, alumnus of HPS-Begumpet and IIT-BHU.
His father and ASACO chairman K. Mohandas had established the company in 1969 having decided to take up the challenge of making critical engines for launch vehicles of ISRO based on designs submitted by the latter. The precision machine components are also applicable in fighter jets and naval ships besides launch vehicles.
Crucial function
In every PSLV launch, two of these fourth stage engines take the satellites into their final orbits. “Whether it was Chandryaan 1 module, Mangalyaan or the recent world record 104 satellite launch, PS4 Engines have the crucial function of delivering each and every one them into their initial orbits around the earth,” explains Ajit, in an exclusive interaction.
The same engines are now performing a unique function of serving as the orbital platform for the Kalamsat V2 for the brief period of 14.5 hours after deployment — time needed for Kalamsat V2 to perform its experiments — instead of ending up as space debris!
Sole supplier
“We are proud that the engine for which we have been a sole and dedicated supplier for decades continues to perform in versatile ways, thanks to ISRO’s ingenious ways of using them. We are grateful for the faith shown in our capabilities,” he says.
ASACO has aggressive growth plans and is “fully geared” up to take up more challenging work from ISRO, he adds.
