ISRO efficiently carries out vacuum ignition trial of cryogenic engine

ISRO’s C20 cryogenic engine. File
| Picture Credit score: The Hindu

ISRO on Saturday (February 8, 2025) stated that it has efficiently carried out the ignition trial of the indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine powering the higher stage of LVM3, with a multi-element igniter underneath vacuum circumstances, which simulates the engine ignition within the vacuum situation of house.

This take a look at was carried out on Friday (February 7, 2025) within the Excessive Altitude Check Facility at ISRO Propulsion Advanced, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, ISRO stated in a press release.

This engine is essential for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s formidable crewed house mission.

Throughout this take a look at, the ignition of the engine Thrust Chamber was carried out with a multi-element igniter in a vacuum, underneath the tank strain circumstances which might be anticipated to prevail on the time of restarting the cryogenic engine in flight. The efficiency of the engine and the power in the course of the take a look at was regular and as anticipated.

Restarting a cryogenic engine is inherently complicated and as a part of the research associated to the restart operation, ISRO is exploring the initiation of turbopumps in bootstrap mode reasonably than the saved fuel system.

On this method, each the thrust chamber and fuel generator are anticipated to re-ignite underneath tank head circumstances. ISRO has outlined a collection of assessments geared toward engine begins in bootstrap mode in direction of enhancing the potential for a number of cryogenic engine restarts throughout flight.

Beforehand, the engine ignition trial utilizing multi-element igniter was carried out within the floor circumstances exterior the vacuum chamber.

“The engine is already certified to function for thrust ranges starting from 19t to 22t in flight with single begin and is certified for Gaganyaan mission,” ISRO stated.

The engine was developed by Liquid Propulsion Programs Centre of ISRO.