In a significant stride towards India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the successful completion of the human rating process for its CE20 cryogenic engine. This crucial engine will power the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s space exploration endeavors.
The latest accomplishment was confirmed through a press statement issued by ISRO on Wednesday. The space agency disclosed that the final round of ground qualification tests for the CE20 engine was concluded on February 13, 2024. These tests, including the seventh vacuum ignition trial, were conducted at the High Altitude Test Facility situated at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, to simulate flight conditions.
“To qualify the CE20 engine for human rating standards, four engines underwent 39 hot firing tests under various operating conditions, totaling a cumulative duration of 8810 seconds,” ISRO stated. This duration exceeds the minimum human rating qualification standard requirement of 6350 seconds, ensuring robustness and reliability crucial for crewed missions.
The ground qualification tests for the human rating of the CE20 engine encompassed a spectrum of assessments, including life demonstration, endurance, and performance evaluations under nominal and off-nominal operating conditions concerning thrust, mixture ratio, and propellant tank pressure. These comprehensive tests are imperative to guarantee the safety and success of future crewed missions.
The Gaganyaan mission, slated for launch between 2024 and 2025, aims to send a crew of three astronauts into an orbit approximately 400 kilometers above Earth’s surface for a three-day mission. Upon completion of their mission objectives, the crew will safely return to Earth by landing in Indian sea waters, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight endeavors.
In addition to the CE20 cryogenic engine milestone, ISRO has also finalized the acceptance tests for the flight engine designated for the first unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) mission. Scheduled tentatively for the second quarter of 2024, this engine will propel the upper stage of the human-rated LVM3 vehicle, boasting a thrust capability of 19 to 22 tonnes with a specific impulse of 442.5 seconds.
Looking ahead, ISRO envisions ambitious projects including the establishment of India’s indigenous space station, Bharatiya Antariksha Station, by 2035. Furthermore, the agency aims to achieve the historic feat of sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040, underscoring India’s steadfast commitment to space exploration and technological advancement on the global stage.
Sources By Agencies
