In a significant advancement in aerospace technology, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have made strides towards creating a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) powered by hybrid rocket thrusters. This achievement brings India closer to the development of innovative air transport solutions.
The research team successfully conducted an experiment that combined a real-time hybrid rocket thruster with a virtual simulation. They were able to attain the necessary velocity for a soft landing, which is essential for both terrestrial and planetary landings of manned and unmanned exploration modules.
Hybrid rocket thrusters utilize a combination of solid and liquid propulsion systems, offering improved safety, simplicity, and controllability. The team at IIT Madras investigated their potential for VTOL applications, aiming to create systems that are less complex and require less maintenance than traditional liquid-engine VTOL systems.
The findings, authored by professor P A Ramakrishna, along with researchers Joel George Manathara and Anandu Bhadran from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, were published in the International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
Professor Ramakrishna emphasized the advantages of VTOL technology, stating, “This capability will eliminate the need for long runways, enabling aircraft to operate from remote and rugged terrains. It can decentralize air transport, offering immense strategic and operational advantages.” He noted that once this technology is commercially viable, it could revolutionize both civil and military aviation.
Highlighting the uniqueness of their approach, Joel George Manathara remarked, “The use of hybrid rocket thrusters for VTOL is itself a novel concept. Our hardware-in-the-loop simulation integrated a live hybrid rocket motor into the testing framework, providing exceptional precision and bringing us closer to a practical prototype.”
A notable breakthrough in the research was the creation of a hybrid rocket fuel that employs compressed air as the oxidizer. This development not only enhances safety but also facilitates easier integration into various aerospace platforms.
According to Anandu Bhadran, the hybrid rocket motor exhibited reliable thrust modulation and a dynamic response, crucial for landing control systems. In hot flow tests, the system achieved a safe touchdown velocity of 0.66 m/s, validating the research approach. With ongoing studies focused on attitude stabilization, IIT Madras aims to expand this technology to platforms with multiple thrusters, a vital step towards realizing a fully operational hybrid rocket-powered VTOL aircraft.
