ISRO key test over, CE20 cryogenic engine is now human-rated for Gaganyaan missions

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Last Updated23/02/2024

Recently, ISRO achieved a significant milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine with completion of the final round of ground qualification tests.
The cryogenic engine powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions.

Human-rating refers to rating a system that is capable of safely transporting humans.
Rigorous testing including life demonstration tests, endurance tests, and performance assessments under various conditions, were conducted to meet human rating standards.
The CE20 engine underwent 39 hot firing tests under different conditions, totaling 8,810 seconds.
This surpassed the minimum requirement of 6,350 seconds for human rating qualification.

A cryogenic engine powers the last stage of space launch vehicles which makes use of Cryogenics.
- Cryogenics is the study of the production and behaviour of materials at extremely low temperatures (below -150℃) to lift and place the heavier objects in space.
It uses Liquid Oxygen (LOx) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as propellants.
So far only six countries have these launch vehicles viz. the US, China, Russia, France, Japan, and India.
India’s heaviest launch vehicles viz. GSLV and GSLV Mk III use cryogenic fuel in the upper stage of the launch vehicle.

It is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns compared to other propellant rocket stages.
Using a cryogenic upper stage enhances the payload carrying capacity of a rocket.
Both fuels (LOx and LH2) are environment-friendly other propellants used in the rocket industry.

It is technically a much more complex system as against solid/earth-storable liquid propellant stages.
Due to the usage of propellants at extremely low temperatures and the associated thermal and structural problems.