The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
said he the fourth hot test (E13 HT-04) of the first indigenously developed
cryogenic engine with 22 tonne thrust qualification for Gaganyaan mission,
was successfully tested on Monday.
C20 313 is the cryo engine that powers the upper stage (C25) of the heaviest
launch vehicle LVM-3 to be used for the maiden human space flight Gaganyaan
mission.
ISRO said the fourth hot test for demonstrating the off-nominal operation of the
engine (22t+5%PC & -5%MR), was successfully conducted for 125s duration
on October 9, 2023 at MET facility, IPRC, Mahendragiri.
During this test, engine and facility performance was normal and the required
engine performance parameters were achieved as predicted.
With this test, the CE20 engine is qualified for operating at 22t thrust level in
flight.
CE20 engine is the first indigenously developed cryogenic engine that powers
the upper stage (C25) of LVM3 rocket. The engine was already qualified to
operate at a thrust level of 19 tonnes and performed successfully in six
successive LVM3 missions, including the Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3
and two commercial OneWeb missions.
In order to improve the payload capability of LVM3, the upper cryogenic stage
is reconfigured as the C32 stage with enhanced propellants loading and the
engine operating at a thrust level of 22 tonnes.
In order to operate at an increased thrust level of 22 tonnes, the engine has
to be re-qualified by conducting a number of ground hot tests.
The twelfth hardware of the CE20 engine (E13 engine) is currently being used
for 22 tonne thrust level qualification program. After completing the engine tuning
first hot test (E13 HT-01) for 50 secs duration, the second long-duration hot test
(E13 HT-02) was successfully completed for a duration of 720s on August 30,
2023, and the third hot test (E13 HT-03)was successfully completed for flight
duration of 670 s (with 22t thrust) on September 22, 2023.
