ISRO Wraps Up Final Test for Gaganyaan Rocket Engine Ready to Carry Humans to Space

India's space agency achieved a significant feat as it concluded the last round of ground qualification tests on February 13, 2024, marking a crucial step in its Gaganyaan mission.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) declared the successful completion of the final round of ground qualification tests for the CE20 cryogenic engine, which powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions.

The tests were conducted at the High Altitude Test Facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, simulating flight conditions. ISRO confirmed the completion of all ground qualification tests for the CE20 engine crucial for the Gaganyaan program.

What's involved in the human rating test?
These tests include life demonstration, endurance, and performance assessments under normal and abnormal operating conditions regarding thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure.

To meet human rating standards, four engines underwent 39 hot firing tests under various operating conditions, totaling 8810 seconds, surpassing the minimum requirement of 6350 seconds.

Aside from human rating tests, ISRO also finished acceptance tests for the flight engine designated for the first unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) mission, expected in Q2 of 2024. This engine, powering the upper stage of the human-rated LVM3 vehicle, boasts a thrust capability of 19 to 22 tonnes and a specific impulse of 442.5 seconds.

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