India has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of Atmanirbhar Bharat through the successful establishment and testing of its first Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK). This facility catapults India into a select group of nations possessing advanced hypersonic testing capabilities.
Funding Support
The development of this facility received crucial support from the Fund for Improvement in S&T Infrastructure (FIST) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), with a grant of Rs 4.5 Crores in 2018.
Facility Development
- Origin and Purpose: The Hypersonic Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur spearheaded the development of this facility.
- Capabilities: Named S2, the facility is capable of generating flight speeds ranging from 3 to 10 km/s, effectively simulating hypersonic conditions.
- Indigenous Design: S2 was entirely designed and developed within India, highlighting the nation’s capability in advanced aerospace technology.
- Utility: It serves as a crucial testbed for ongoing missions of key organizations like ISRO and DRDO, including Gaganyaan, RLV, and hypersonic cruise missiles.
Facility Components
- Free Piston Driver: Initiates the hypersonic flow by driving the compression tube.
- Compression Tube: Part of the setup where compression of gases occurs, leading to hypersonic flow.
- Shock/Acceleration Tube: Facilitates the acceleration of gases to achieve hypersonic speeds.
- Test Section: Includes a high vacuum system to maintain hypersonic flow conditions for testing.
- Instrumentation: The facility is equipped with pressure sensors and associated equipment for data acquisition and processing, funded through the DST-FIST program.
Implications and Future Prospects
- Research Growth: The establishment of this facility accelerates hypersonic research in India, enabling more engineers and researchers to delve into this field.
- Data Utilization: Data generated from research activities will be crucial for optimizing existing aerospace vehicles and informing the development of future defense and space missions.
- Global Positioning: India’s entry into advanced experimental hypersonic research strengthens its global standing in aerospace technology.
- Capacity Boost: This facility significantly enhances India’s capabilities in space and defense sectors, aligning with the nation’s goal of becoming scientifically advanced.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What department provided funding for the establishment of India’s first Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility?
- A) Department of Defense (DoD)
- B) Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- C) Department of Aerospace Engineering (DAE)
- D) Department of Space (DoS)
- Answer: B) Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- Which institution spearheaded the development of the Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility?
- A) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- B) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
- C) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
- D) Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram
- Answer: C) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
- What is the flight speed range achievable by India’s Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility?
- A) 1-5 km/s
- B) 3-10 km/s
- C) 5-15 km/s
- D) 8-20 km/s
- Answer: B) 3-10 km/s
- Which of the following is NOT a component of the facility?
- A) Shock/Acceleration Tube
- B) Compression Tube
- C) Rocket Propulsion Chamber
- D) Test Section
- Answer: C) Rocket Propulsion Chamber
- What is one of the potential implications of establishing this facility?
- A) Reduction in funding for space research
- B) Decrease in aerospace engineering enrollment
- C) Accelerated growth in hypersonic research
- D) Diminished role of ISRO and DRDO
- Answer: C) Accelerated growth in hypersonic research