The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully carried out the flight acceptance hot test of the CE20 cryogenic engine earmarked for the seventh operational mission of the LVM-3 launch vehicle, designated LVM-3-M7.

The test was conducted on 9 September 2026 at the Main Engine and Stage Test facility located at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) (ISRO Propulsion Complex) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

Cryogenic engines undergo hot testing before every mission as part of their acceptance process for flight. The CE20 engine, which powers the upper stage of the LVM-3, is designed for high-altitude operations.

To enable hot testing under sea-level conditions, ISRO developed and validated a Nozzle Protection System through multiple qualification trials. This system has significantly reduced the time and effort required for acceptance testing by simulating vacuum conditions equivalent to those at the High Altitude Test Facility.

The LVM-3 program is being continuously upgraded to enhance payload capability. Future missions are planned with the C32 stage operating at an uprated thrust level of 22 tons for the CE20 engine. In line with this objective, the flight acceptance test was conducted at the 22-ton thrust level, marking a critical step in preparing the vehicle for heavier payloads.

The CE20 engine met all test objectives, confirming the satisfactory performance of its systems. Importantly, the LOX Tank Pressurisation Module, developed for the C32 stages of the Gaganyaan program, was also successfully demonstrated during this test.

This validation is crucial as the Gaganyaan mission will rely on the robustness of these systems for human spaceflight.

Following the successful test, the engine will be refurbished and integrated into the C32 flight stage for the LVM3-M7 mission. This mission is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 and will play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s heavy-lift launch capabilities.

The CE20 cryogenic engine has already proven its reliability in multiple missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and commercial launches.

Its continued success underlines India’s growing expertise in cryogenic propulsion technology, which is essential for deep-space exploration, human spaceflight, and commercial satellite deployment.

The demonstration of the LOX Tank Pressurization Module further highlights ISRO’s readiness for the upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan launch, which will be a landmark in India’s human spaceflight ambitions. The integration of advanced systems into the LVM-3 vehicle ensures that India remains on track to achieve greater milestones in space exploration.

ISRO