Bengaluru, March 15 – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Saturday that it has successfully conducted a flight acceptance hot test for the cryogenic engine of the LVM3-M6 launch vehicle. The test took place at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
Flight acceptance tests are crucial for evaluating the quality and performance of an engine and its sub-systems before they are integrated into a mission. LVM3, also known as Launch Vehicle Mark-3, is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
As per agency report, ISRO stated that each mission requires the cryogenic engine to undergo a hot test as part of the flight qualification process. Previously, these tests were conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex’s High Altitude Test (HAT) facility, where the maximum test duration was limited to 25 seconds.
In a major advancement, ISRO confirmed that for the first time, the cryogenic engine (CE20) underwent a prolonged 100-second test in non-vacuum conditions, utilizing an innovative nozzle protection system. The organization highlighted this as a significant step in enhancing the reliability of the LVM3-M6 mission.
This test marks a crucial milestone in India's space exploration journey, reinforcing the efficiency of its indigenous cryogenic technology. With the success of this test, ISRO moves one step closer to the upcoming LVM3-M6 mission, which is expected to further bolster India’s capabilities in heavy-lift space launches.
