ISRO succeeds in hot test of CE-20 engine for LVM3 mission

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE20 cryogenic engine on July 6, 2026, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

• This engine is set to power the cryogenic upper stage of LVM3-M7, the seventh operational mission of India's heavy-lift launch vehicle, LVM3.

• This successful test has once again demonstrated India's capabilities in indigenous cryogenic propulsion technology.

• A significant highlight of this test was ISRO's use of a newly developed nozzle protection system during the flight acceptance hot test.

• This system facilitates the evaluation of the engine's safe and precise performance by effectively simulating high-altitude conditions.

• During the test, the engine generated 19.5 tonnes of thrust for the initial 45 seconds; subsequently, the thrust was increased to its rated maximum capacity of 22 tonnes, and the engine operated successfully at this level for 25 seconds.

• All performance parameters of the test aligned with the pre-determined technical specifications, thereby confirming the engine's flight-worthiness for the LVM3-M7 mission.