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The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Thursday announced a significant breakthrough in its propulsion technology as the CE20 cryogenic engine passed a crucial sea-scale test, a crucial step for its future space missions.
The test, conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu on November 29, demonstrated the engine’s restart capability, which is critical for advanced missions like Gaganyaan, ISRO’s first manned space flight. The engine, which powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), achieved a major milestone with the introduction of a nozzle area ratio of 100.
“The CE20 cryogenic engine, indigenously developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, is qualified to operate at a thrust level of 19 tonnes and has successfully powered six LVM3 missions so far,” ISRO said.
The engine has recently been upgraded to generate a thrust level of 20 tonnes for the Gaganyaan mission. Additionally, it is configured to have an increased thrust of 22 tons for the future C32 stage, which will improve the payload capability of the LVM3 launch vehicle.
A standout feature of this test was the evaluation of the multi-element igniter, which was integral to enabling engine restart capability. Restarting a cryogenic engine poses unique challenges, especially in the case of vacuum ignition without nozzle closure. ISRO confirmed that previous ground tests had already successfully demonstrated vacuum ignition.
An innovative ‘Nozzle Protection System’ was introduced to address challenges such as flow separation inside the nozzle in sea-level testing, which could otherwise cause severe vibration, thermal problems and potential damage. This system has enabled a cost-effective and less complex testing process than the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility traditionally used for such evaluation.
ISRO reported that the high nozzle area ratio of the CE20 engine results in an exhaust pressure of approximately 50 millibars, which poses significant challenges for sea-level testing. However, the new system has effectively reduced these complexities, paving the way for more efficient acceptance testing.
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