LPSC Engineers Hand Over Electric Thruster Electronics to ISRO for Flight Testing

Thiruvananthapuram, India — August 25, 2025 — The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has successfully developed and delivered advanced electronic control systems for an electric propulsion thruster—marking a significant stride toward fully operational flight trials.

Development and Handover

LPSC’s engineers, working across its Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru facilities, have spearheaded the design, development, and fabrication of precision electronics tailored for ISRO’s electric thruster programs. These electronics are now formally handed over to ISRO’s flight test teams, paving the way for in-orbit validation of the highly efficient electric propulsion units. This handover underscores LPSC’s enduring commitment to indigenous propulsion technology development.

Electric Propulsion: A Leap Forward

ISRO has been intensifying efforts to shift from conventional chemical propulsion to electric methods—such as Hall-effect and plasma thrusters—which offer vastly better efficiency and reduced satellite mass. The recently completed 1,000-hour life test of a 300 mN Xenon-based Stationary Plasma Thruster, powered at a full 5.4 kW, demonstrated a specific impulse at least six times higher than traditional chemical propulsion—affirming its readiness for future spacecraft missions.

These electric thrusters are slated for initial validation aboard the upcoming Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-01), particularly for performing orbit-raising maneuvers to geostationary orbit. The success of this life test not only attests to the thruster's robustness but also signals a new era in ISRO’s satellite propulsion capabilities.

LPSC: The Propulsion Powerhouse

LPSC, established in 1985, is the backbone of ISRO’s propulsion systems development. With its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and a significant satellite propulsion unit in Bengaluru, LPSC has long enabled innovation in both liquid and cryogenic propulsion stages, thrust control electronics, and satellite thrusters. Its facilities also include the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri, where critical engine and system-level tests are conducted.

The centre has delivered numerous key technologies—ranging from monopropellant thrusters and pressure transducers to the cryogenic CE-20 engine, now serving as the upper-stage powerhouse for LVM3 launches, including those supporting ISRO’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.

Broader Propulsion Landscape

The handover comes in the wake of broader advancements in ISRO’s propulsion portfolio. Recent developments include robust hot-testing of the Service Module Propulsion System for Gaganyaan, integration of reaction control thrusters into the crew module, and extensive tests validating human-rating standards for LVM3 components. Additionally, ISRO is laying the groundwork for future electric-only satellites, with GSAT-20 projected to deploy fully electric propulsion systems in orbit.

With LPSC's electronics now in ISRO’s hands, the next phase will focus on integrating these control systems with electric thrusters, conducting rigorous testing, and ultimately validating them in space. Success would mean dramatically improved mass efficiency for satellites, enabling higher payload capacity and longer mission lifespans.

As ISRO moves toward fully electric propulsion in space science and communication satellites, LPSC’s role remains pivotal—designing, validating, and delivering the advanced systems that empower India's space ambitions.

Why This Matters

• Technological Leap: Electric propulsion promises dramatically higher efficiency—boosting satellites’ payload and mission longevity.

• Indigenous Capability: LPSC’s development showcases India’s growing self-reliance in advanced spacecraft systems.

• Mission Futureproofing: From TDS-01 to Gaganyaan and beyond, these efforts dovetail with ISRO’s strategic vision for human spaceflight and electric satellite constellations