How ISRO’s CE-20 Cryogenic Engine is Important for the Gaganyaan Space Mission 2026?

On February 7, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully conducted an ignition test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine. This engine powers the previous stage of the launch vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). The test was conducted at the high altitude testing facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. These tests are crucial for India’s space missions, especially for the Gaganyaan human space flight program. The latest experiments were conducted under vacuum, simulated the Creed Scenario and evaluated the performance of different environments at sea level.

Source: NASA

The dates given in the following table were tested:

date	Perform a test	Place
November 29, 2024	Sea level thermal test	ISRO Promotion Complex, Mahendragiri
February 7, 2025	Vacuum ignition test	High-altitude testing facility, Mahendragir

Ignition test overview

• Test Setup: The experiment combines a complex multi-element igniter designed to simulate the complexity of real-world engine startup. This setting allows precise control and monitoring of the ignition process.
• Conditions: The test is performed under a series of conditions that closely mimic the actual flight scenario, including changes in temperature, pressure, and fuel flow. This ensures that the engine’s ignition system will function reliably in demanding space flight environments.
• Performance: During the entire test, the ignition system initiates combustion perfectly, consistently and reliably within the engine. All performance metrics are within the expected range, indicating that the system is designed properly.
• Impact: The successful results of the ignition test provide critical validation for the engine to be ready for the upcoming tasks. It shows that the engine’s ignition system is powerful and able to operate reliably under a variety of challenging conditions, greatly increasing confidence in the overall performance of the engine and paving the way for future space exploration efforts .

Vacuum ignition test (February 7, 2025)

On February 7, 2025, ISRO conducted a successful ignition test on the low-temperature engine of the Indigenous CE-20 using a multi-element ignitioner under vacuum conditions. The trial is designed to simulate engine ignition under space-like conditions.

Source: NASA

What are the goals of the ignition test of the CE-20 low-temperature engine?

The main purpose of the CE-20 low-temperature engine ignition test is to evaluate the ignition of the engine under simulated space-like vacuum conditions. This will be achieved by using a multi-component ignitor and simulated tank pressure conditions during flight engine restart.

Key findings:

• The thrust chamber was successfully lit under vacuum.
• The engines and facilities are performed as expected.
• ISRO is exploring a boot mode for turbine startup to enhance multiple restarts during flight.

The significance of CE-20 engine

• Key role in the Gaganyaan mission: India’s first human space program is crucial.
• Vacuum operation: designed to operate under space conditions.
• Thrust range: Able to generate 19 to 22 tons of thrust.
• Milestone Achievement: Enhance India’s space exploration capabilities.

Challenge of cryogenic engine restart

Restarting a cryogenic engine is inherently complicated. To enhance the restart function, ISRO is testing the turbine in bootstrap mode instead of stored gas systems.

Key Improvements:

1. Boot mode: Enable reignition under tank head conditions.
2. Multiple reboots: Crucial for extended tasks such as Gagania.
3. A series of tests planned: designed to verify multiple restarts during flight.

Source: NASA

Previously tested in sea level thermal test (November 29, 2024)

Objective: To evaluate the performance and restart capabilities of multi-element ignitors at sea level. Solve the challenge of flow separation with polymer ratio nozzles.

Challenges and solutions:

challenge	Implementing solutions
Flow separation polymer ratio nozzle	A nozzle protection system is implemented to prevent severe vibration and thermal damage.
High outlet pressure is 50 mbar	Tests were performed at a high altitude testing facility (HAT) to verify performance.

result:

• The test was successful, demonstrating the new cost-effective and uncomplicated procedures for the CE20 engine being tested.
• The engine and facilities are performed normally, achieving the expected performance parameters.

The role of CE-20 engine in the Gaganyaan mission

About Gaganyaan Mission 2026:

The Gaganyaan mission is an ambitious human space flight program led by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), which aims to demonstrate the ability to send humans into space and bring them back safely. The Human Space Flight Center (HSFC) is responsible for coordinating the program to ensure human safety and promote research and development in key technology fields.

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Source: Space.com

Gaganyan mission objectives

The Gaganyaan Mission of India’s ambitious human space program has several key goals:

• Showcase human space flight capabilities: The Gaganyaan project aims to send the trio into a 400km orbit for a three-day mission, and then return it safely to Earth by landing in Indian seawater. The mission will demonstrate India’s human space capabilities.
• Develop advanced space technology: Missions will drive the development of cutting-edge technologies in areas such as propulsion, life support systems, spacecraft design and re-entry systems. These technologies are crucial to the future human existence in space.
• Lay the foundation for future missions: Gaganyaan is a stepping stone to India’s long-term space ambitions. The expertise and infrastructure developed during this mission will pave the way for more complex missions, including interstellar exploration and the establishment of permanent space stations.
• Inspire and educate: The mission is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and space enthusiasts in India. It will also serve as a platform for public education and related science and technology in space.
• International Cooperation: Gaganyaan provides opportunities for cooperation with other space countries. India can use its expertise and resources to contribute to global space exploration.
• Scientific Research: The mission will enable scientific research in areas such as microgravity, space biology, and astronomy, which helps our understanding of the universe and its impact on human life.
• Business Opportunities: The technologies and capabilities developed for Gaganyaan can also provide commercial applications, thereby facilitating the growth of the Indian aerospace industry.
• National reputation: Successful human space flight missions will enhance India’s reputation and demonstrate its technological implementation on the global stage.

Also Read | ISRO’s upcoming plans: Gaganyaan (2026), Samudrayaan (2026) and Chandrayaan-4 (2027) will be launched.

Gaganyaan spacecraft and launch vehicle

Element	Function
Unit module	Accommodating astronauts and life support systems.
Service module	Includes the required airborne system.
Launcher	The GSLV MK III (LVM-3) is India’s most powerful rocket.

Details of human space flight

In the Gaganyaan mission, humans will have to reach the orbit in time at accurate orbital speeds. Here is detailed below

• Time to reach the track: 16 minutes.
• Orbital speed: Complete one Earth orbit every 90 minutes.
• Unit module size: 3.7m wide and 7m high.
• Spacesuit: Designed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, provides 1 hour of oxygen in emergencies.
• Re-entry duration: 36 hours.
• Landing site: Arabian Sea near Gujarat.

What is the significance of the CE-20 engine to the Gaganyaan mission?

The CE-20 engine is important to the Gaganyaan mission, as it is an integral part of the Indian Gaganyaan Mission, which is the low-temperature upper stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle, whose mission is to transport astronauts into space. The engine is responsible for providing the necessary thrust to position the unit module in its designated track.

The role of CE-20 in the Gaganyaan mission

• The goal of India’s first human space program, Gaganyaan Mission, is to send three astronauts (Gagannauts) to low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The LVM3 rocket equipped with a CE-20 cryogenic engine has been selected as the launch vehicle of Gaganyaan.
• The cryogenic phase powered by the CE-20 provides the necessary thrust to place the orbit module into the required Earth orbit (approximately 400 km altitude).

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What are the functions and development of the CE-20 engine in Gaganyaan tasks?

The CE-20 engine’s enhanced thrust capability, Indigenous development and thorough human evaluation certification make it a key component of the success of the Gaganyaan mission, thus ensuring safe and efficient transport of astronauts into space. How this engine generates the required thrust to push the unit module to its intended track.

• Thrust Features: The CE-20 engine is eligible to operate at a 19-ton thrust level and has successfully powered 6 LVM3 missions to date. For the Gaganyaan mission, it has been upgraded to generate a 20 ton thrust level. Additionally, it has been configured to enhance thrust of 22 tons for future missions, thereby improving the payload capacity of the LVM3 launch vehicle.

• Indigenous Development: The CE-20 engine was developed by the ISRO Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), showing advances in low-temperature technology in India. Its successful deployment in previous tasks underlines its reliability and performance.

• Human Assessment Certification: This engine has been rigorously tested to meet the strict safety and reliability standards required for human space flight. This includes successful ignition tests under vacuum conditions, simulating the space environment and ensuring engine preparation

Future testing plans

• ISRO outlines a series of tests to restart the functionality using the Bootstrap mode development engine.
• These efforts are designed to improve the feasibility of room rebooting, which is crucial for long-term space missions.

in conclusion

The successful vacuum ignition and sea-level thermal testing of the CE20 cryogenic engine mark an important step in India’s space exploration. These developments are crucial for Gaganyaan missions, which can restart the engine and enhance task flexibility. ISRO continues to improve the engine restart mechanism, paving the way for future deep space missions.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion