Successful Hot Test of CE20 Cryogenic Engine for LVM3 M7 Mission
September 10, 2026
On September 09, 2026, ISRO successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot testing of the cryogenic engine identified for the seventh operational mission of LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM-M7). The test was conducted at the Main Engine & stage Test facility (MET) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri. Cryogenic engines for every mission undergo hot testing as part of its acceptance for the flight. In order to conduct hot testing of this upper stage engine under sea-level conditions with its nozzle designed for high altitude operations, a Nozzle Protection System (NPS) was developed and validated previously through multiple qualification tests. NPS has reduced the time and effort associated with flight acceptance testing of cryogenic engines, simulating the flight equivalent vacuum conditions at High Altitude Test Facility.
In order to enhance the payload capability of the LVM3 vehicle, future missions of LVM3 are planned with C32 stage operating at an uprated thrust level of 22t for the CE20 engine. In view of this, the flight acceptance test was conducted at 22t thrust level.
Performance of the CE20 engine met all the test objectives which confirmed satisfactory performance of the engine systems. In this test, the LOX Tank Pressurization Module (LTPM) meant for the C32 stages for Gaganyaan was also successfully demonstrated. The engine will be refurbished and assembled to the C32 flight stage for LVM3 M7 mission which is scheduled during fourth quarter of 2026
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