Produced by: Tarun Mishra
ISRO announced the successful sea-level test of its CE20 cryogenic engine on November 29 at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This achievement is a critical advancement for future space missions, including Gaganyaan, India’s first manned spaceflight mission.
The test demonstrated the engine’s ability to restart, a vital feature for complex missions. Restarting a cryogenic engine is particularly challenging due to the need for vacuum ignition without nozzle closure, a capability that has now been validated.
The CE20 cryogenic engine, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, has already powered six LVM3 missions. Initially qualified for a thrust level of 19 tonnes, the engine has been upgraded to 20 tonnes for Gaganyaan and will achieve 22 tonnes for future missions to enhance payload capacity.
A key upgrade in this test was the introduction of a nozzle area ratio of 100. This enhancement, critical for advanced space missions, allows the engine to operate efficiently, increasing the payload capacity of ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).
ISRO used a newly developed ‘Nozzle Protection System’ during the test, replacing the need for a High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility. This innovation addressed challenges like flow separation in the nozzle and reduced testing costs and complexities.
The test evaluated a multi-element igniter that plays a crucial role in enabling engine restart capability. This evaluation confirmed the igniter’s effectiveness, further validating the engine’s readiness for Gaganyaan and other advanced missions.
With this successful test, ISRO has enhanced the reliability and capability of the CE20 engine, making it a key component for future missions. The development also represents a step forward in India’s space exploration ambitions, including manned and high-payload missions.