The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested its indigenously developed cryogenic engine, that will help India put satellites of upto four tonnes in geostationary orbit.
The powerful version of the cryogenic engine was successfully ground tested for 635 seconds at the Liquid Propulsion systems centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A team headed by Director D Karthikesan had led the testing. It will also give boost to India’s interplanetary probes and manned space missions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted, “The engine tested today will enable us to put satellites of up to 4 tons in geostationary orbit. A proud accomplishment.”
India successfully launched GSLV-D5, the first successful launch of a vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic engine. But India at present can only launch satellites of up to two tonnes.
Tidbits
- Cryogenic rocket engine uses cryogenic fuel or oxidizer, that is, its fuel or oxidizer (or both) are gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
- Cryogenic fuels are extremely clean as they give out only water while burning. Cryogenic fuels most often constitute liquefied gases such as liquid hydrogen.
- As of now six governments have successfully developed and deployed cryogenic rocket engines. They are India, United States, Japan, Russia, European Space Agency, and China.
- Cryogenics is the study of the production and behaviour of materials at very low temperatures (below −150 °C).
