- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made a big step forward in its quest for human spaceflight with the successful human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine.
- Ground qualification tests were successfully completed at the ISRO Propulsion Complex’s High Altitude Test Facility in Mahendragiri, validating the CE20 engine for the Gaganyaan programme.
About the CE20 cryogenic engine
- It was created and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), an ISRO division.
- It is the first Indian cryogenic engine to use a gas-generator cycle.
- It is among the most powerful upper-stage cryogenic engines in the world.
- This engine produces a nominal thrust of 186.36 kN in vacuum.
Key Highlights of Ground Qualification Tests
- The CE20 engine was thoroughly tested, including nominal and off-nominal situations for thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure.
- Hot Firing Tests: Four engines underwent 39 hot firing tests, totaling 8,810 seconds, exceeding the minimum human rating certification criteria of 6,350 seconds.
Update on the First Unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) Mission
- Mission Objectives: The Gaganyaan project seeks to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities by launching a three-person crew into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth via a landing in Indian sea waters.
- Acceptance testing: ISRO has completed acceptance testing on the flight engine for the first unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) mission, which is tentatively slated for the second quarter of 2024.
- Engine Specification: The flight engine, which will power the upper stage of the human-rated LVM3 vehicle, has a thrust capability of 19 to 22 tonnes and a specific impulse of 442.5 seconds.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-accomplishes-key-test-ce20-cryogenic-engine-is-now-human-rated-for-gaganyaan-missions/article67869973.ece