Synopsis
On March 14, 2025, ISRO conducted successful flight acceptance hot testing of the CE20 cryogenic engine for the upcoming LVM3-M6 mission, marking a crucial milestone in India's space endeavors, showcasing advancements in cryogenic technology.Key Takeaways
- ISRO completed flight acceptance hot testing for the CE20 cryogenic engine.
- The test duration was extended to 100 seconds using a new Nozzle Protection System.
- The CE20 engine performance met all objectives.
- India successfully undocked satellites in the SpaDeX mission.
- Over 120 simulations were conducted to ensure mission success.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully performed the flight acceptance hot testing of the cryogenic engine designated for the LVM-M6 mission, as confirmed by the space agency.
This hot testing is a crucial step in the acceptance process for the flight of cryogenic engines associated with every mission.
On March 14, 2025, ISRO successfully executed the flight acceptance hot testing of the cryogenic engine earmarked for the sixth operational mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM-M6) at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.
It is noteworthy that previous hot tests for the indigenous cryogenic engine (CE20) utilized in the Cryogenic Upper Stage of LVM3 were conducted at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at IPRC. This facility simulates vacuum conditions with complex setups, restricting the maximum hot test duration to 25 seconds.
In contrast, this recent test allowed the engine to be evaluated for an extended period of 100 seconds for the first time using an innovative Nozzle Protection System under non-vacuum conditions.
As stated by ISRO, “This testing method significantly minimizes the setup time and effort needed for the flight acceptance testing of a cryogenic engine, thereby facilitating quicker delivery of cryogenic stages for space missions.”
Furthermore, the performance of the CE20 engine met all test objectives, and the parameters remained closely aligned with predictions throughout the test duration.
Looking ahead, the agency plans to integrate the engine into the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the launch vehicle for the LVM3-M6 mission, slated for the latter half of 2025.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan remarked that Indian scientists have mastered cryogenic technology independently with remarkable dedication, particularly after being denied access by several nations.
“A significant milestone is our development of the C 32 cryogenic propulsion system. It’s important to recognize that we were denied cryogenic technology by other countries and had to take gradual steps. Today, we have successfully developed three cryogenic stages,” Narayanan conveyed during a press briefing.
“We have successfully tested it for 100 seconds. This represents yet another technology that many nations do not possess. Even 20 years ago, this was a challenging technology, but today, it belongs to ISRO,” he added.
In another achievement, ISRO confirmed the successful undocking of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. This accomplishment places India alongside an elite group of four nations that have effectively demonstrated the intricate technology of satellite docking and undocking, according to Narayanan.
Reflecting on the preparations undertaken prior to the mission, Narayanan noted that over 120 computer simulations were conducted to ensure flawless execution during the mission.
The SpaDeX mission launched aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota on December 30.
On January 16, the two satellites — SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target) — were successfully docked together, showcasing ISRO’s space docking capabilities.
“It was rotating as a single unit. Then, we aimed to separate it through the undocking process, for which extensive studies and analyses were conducted, including the creation of a simulator and 120 simulations to avoid mistakes. On March 13, at 9:20 am, we succeeded in the undocking process on the first attempt,” stated the ISRO chairman.
The undocking procedure involved the successful extension of SDX-2, the planned release of Capture Lever 3, and the disengagement of the Capture Lever in SDX-2.
Following these maneuvers, the decapture command was issued for both SDX-1 and SDX-2, resulting in the successful separation of the satellites, as reported by ISRO.
