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Operation & Maintenance of SPP at SHAR, Sriharikota

The Solid Propellant Plant (SPP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), Sriharikota, is a critical facility for the production, processing, and quality assurance of solid rocket propellants used in India’s space launch vehicles and tactical missile systems. Proper operation and maintenance of SPP ensures high reliability, safety, and consistent propellant performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Propellant Mixing & Casting: Preparation of oxidizer-fuel-binder mixtures, slurry formation, and casting into motor casings or grains.
• Curing & Quality Assurance: Controlled thermal curing of propellant grains and rigorous inspection to ensure structural integrity, density uniformity, and compliance with performance specifications.
• Handling of Energetic Materials: Safe storage, transport, and handling of oxidizers (e.g., Ammonium Perchlorate), metallic fuels (Aluminium powder), and energetic additives (RDX, HMX).
• Maintenance of Equipment: Regular calibration, preventive maintenance, and safety checks on mixers, casting machines, curing ovens, and automated monitoring systems.
• Environmental & Safety Controls: Monitoring of dust, temperature, humidity, and ventilation to maintain safe working conditions in compliance with industrial safety norms.

Operational Procedures:

• Strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every stage, from material handling to propellant curing.
• Continuous monitoring of reaction temperatures, slurry viscosity, and grain geometry to ensure uniformity in propellant performance.
• Maintenance of detailed production logs for traceability and process optimization.
• Periodic safety drills and emergency preparedness training for personnel.

Key Advantages:

• Ensures reliable, high-quality solid propellant production for launch vehicles and missiles.
• Extends the operational life of plant machinery through preventive maintenance.
• Minimizes risk of accidents involving energetic materials through stringent safety and environmental controls.

Contact us at: info@sae-group.net