Flight Acceptance Test of Cryogenic Engine (CE20)

Why in News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently conducted a successful Flight Acceptance Test of a cryogenic engine for the next LVM3 mission.

• The indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine will power the upper stage of the next LVM3 launch, designated LVM3-M7.

LVM-3 is India’s heaviest operational launch vehicle.

• NPS - It also marked the first time the space agency used a newly developed Nozzle Protection System (NPS) during a flight acceptance test.
• NPS is designed to enable testing of the CE20 engine fitted with its full area-ratio 100 nozzle under sea-level conditions.
• The results confirmed the satisfactory performance of both the engine systems and the NPS.
• Thrust Range - The engine is qualified to operate across a thrust range of 19 to 22 tonnes and has successfully flown on eight consecutive LVM-3 missions.
• Launches
  • These include Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and 3 commercial launches.
  • The engine has also completed the human-rating qualification required for use in the Gaganyaan program, India's first human spaceflight mission.
• The new system simplifies these procedures, reduces the resources needed for engine testing and enables longer-duration tests.

Reference
Times of India | CE20 cryogenic engine