Cryogenic Engine for Rocket Undergoes Crucial Test
Published February 20, 2016
SOURCE:Express News Service
The high-performance India-made cryogenic engine meant for the hefty GSLV Mk-III rocket (LVM3)
successfully underwent a 640-second firing at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on Friday evening, ISRO officials said here on Friday.
An exactly similar test was done on 29.4.15 and claimed as success.
ISRO chairman S Kiran Kumar, who attended the test, commented that it was “a phenomenal achievement in the shortest time. Fully indigenous cryogenic engine development for GSLV MkIII and a major step towards GSLV Mk-III launch in December 2016.” The engine had already undergone two short duration tests. The test was conducted with Mixture Ratio Controller (MRC) in a closed loop mode for the flight duration of 640 seconds, the ISRO said in a statement here.
This is the second cryo engine on which the hot tests are being conducted. A third engine identified for actual flight use will soon undergo tests at Mahendragiri soon. ISRO had first successfully used an indigenously-built cryogenic engine for the GSLV Mk-II rocket on January 5, 2014. But that engine, designated CE-7.5, is a less powerful version of the CE-20 meant for the bigger GSLV Mk-III.
If things go as planned, the CE-20 will power the upper stage of the GSLV Mk-III for the first time in December this year. Developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion