CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu: India's space programme has cleared a key propulsion milestone for the next LVM3 mission. The CE20 cryogenic engine assigned to the LVM3-M7 vehicle completed its flight acceptance hot test at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri on July 6.
During the test, the engine operated at 19.5 tonnes of thrust for 45 seconds and then at 22 tonnes for 25 seconds. The 22-tonne phase used the Nozzle Protection System for a flight acceptance test for the first time. The engine systems and the protection system performed satisfactorily throughout the trial.
The indigenously developed CE20 powers the upper stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle. It has already supported eight successful LVM3 missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and three commercial launches. The engine has also completed human-rating qualification requirements for use in the Gaganyaan programme.
Following refurbishment, the tested engine will be assembled into the C32 flight stage being integrated for LVM3-M7. The successful test advances readiness for the mission while validating a sea-level test method that reduces the resources required for high-altitude testing.
Hashtags: #ScienceTechnology #MahendragiriTamilNadu #IndianSpaceResearchOrganisation #Isro #Clears #Ce20 #Mahendragiri #TamilNadu #Cryogenic #Engine
