The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the space agency of the government of India responsible for the country's space research and exploration programs, has achieved a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine, which powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions, with the completion of the final round of ground qualification tests. "ISRO's CE20 cryogenic engine is now human-rated for Gaganyaan missions," the space agency announced on 'X' on Wednesday.

Rigorous testing demonstrates the engine's capabilities. The CE20 engine designated for the first uncrewed flight LVM3 G1 also underwent acceptance tests. The final test on February 13 was the seventh in a series of vacuum ignition tests conducted at the High Altitude Test Facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, to simulate flight conditions.

The ground qualification tests for the human rating of the CE20 engine involved life demonstration tests, endurance tests, and performance assessments under nominal operating conditions as well as off-nominal conditions with respect to thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure. All the ground qualification tests of the CE20 engine for the Gaganyaan program have been successfully completed, ISRO confirmed.

In order to qualify the CE20 engine for human rating standards, four engines underwent 39 hot firing tests under different operating conditions for a cumulative duration of 8,810 seconds, surpassing the minimum human rating qualification standard requirement of 6,350 seconds, according to ISRO.

ISRO has also successfully completed the acceptance tests of the flight engine designated for the first unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) mission tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. This engine will power the upper stage of the human-rated LVM3 vehicle and has a thrust capability of 19 to 22 tonnes with a specific impulse of 442.5 seconds, it was noted.

Image: ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine. Credit: ISRO

Source: NDTV