CE-20 Cryogenic Engine

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone in the development of the CE-20 cryogenic engine, which will power the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle for the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission. The flight acceptance hot test for the engine was successfully completed recently at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.

The CE-20 cryogenic engine uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants, and it is designed to produce a thrust of around 200 kN in vacuum. The engine’s development is a significant milestone for India’s space program as it marks the country’s advancement in cryogenic engine technology.

Successful completion of the hot test

During the hot test, the engine was fired for a duration of 25 seconds and achieved a maximum thrust of 142.2 kN. All the propulsion parameters during the test were found to be satisfactory and closely matched predictions. The test involved evaluating the engine’s performance under simulated conditions that it would encounter during the actual launch of the mission. The test’s success paves the way for the integration of the engine with the propellant tanks, stage structures, and associated fluid lines to realize the fully integrated flight cryogenic stage.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is slated to be launched in the later part of 2023, and its primary objective is to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The mission will be the third lunar exploration mission by India, following the successful Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions.

Significance of the CE-20 cryogenic engine

The CE-20 cryogenic engine is a significant advancement for India’s space program. The engine’s design and development were carried out by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. The LPSC has been developing cryogenic engines for ISRO’s launch vehicles since the 1990s. The engine’s successful hot test is a testament to India’s indigenous cryogenic engine technology and capabilities.

The CE-20 engine will be used to power the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle, which is capable of launching heavy payloads to the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or the Moon. The engine will be used for India’s future space missions, including the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space.