ISRO Achieves Major Success in Technology, Paving the Way for India’s Human Spaceflight Mission

ISRO has been working on its mission to send astronauts into space, which aligns with the Mission 2040 goals of India. One of the significant developments in this journey was the successful completion of a complex sea-level test for the CE20 cryogenic engine, which is an important part of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.

Cryogenic Engine Test Completed

On November 29, ISRO conducted the test at its Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, where the cryogenic engine was successfully restarted. This engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), the principal rocket for human space missions, making it a critical component of Gaganyaan.

Indigenous Technology Milestone

The CE20 cryogenic engine, developed in-house at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, was designed for a thrust of 19 tons. It has been enhanced to a 22-ton capacity to meet the demand of Gaganyaan. Already, it has powered six LVM-3 missions and stands as a testimonial to India's development in indigenous space technology.