ISRO C20 cryogenic engine. File | Photo credit: the Hindu
Isro on Saturday (February 8, 2025) said that the CE20 indigenous cryogenic motor test has been carried out successfully that it feeds the upper stage of LVM3, with a ligh of multiple elements in vacuum conditions, which simulates the ignition of the engine in a vacuum in a vacuum space condition.
This test was carried out on Friday (February 7, 2025) in the high altitude test installation in the ISRO propulsion complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, Isro said in a statement.
This engine is crucial for the Gaganyaan mission, the ambitious manned space mission of India.
During this test, the ignition of the engine thrust chamber was carried out with a ligh of multiple elements in the void, under the pressure conditions of the tank that are expected to prevail when restarting the cryogenic engine on the flight. The engine performance and installation during the test was normal and as expected.
Restarting a cryogenic engine is inherently complex and, as part of studies related to the reset operation, ISRO is exploring the start of turbopuertas in the starter mode instead of the stored gas system.
In this approach, both the thrust chamber and the gas generator are expected to turn on the head of the tank. ISRO has outlined a series of tests aimed at the beginning of the engine in Bootstrap mode to improve the capacity of multiple cryogenic engine reset during the flight.
Previously, the engine ignition test with multiple elements was carried out in ground conditions outside the vacuum chamber.
“The engine is already qualified to operate for thrust levels ranging from 19t to 22t in flight with a single start and is qualified for the Gaganyaan mission,” Isro said.
The engine was developed by the Isro Liquid Propulsion Systems Center.
Published – February 8, 2025 12:38 pm ist
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