Successful test of CE20 cryogenic engine

Why in news?

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out a hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at sea level.

The CE20 cryogenic engine is an engine indigenously developed by ISRO for the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).
The inclusion of the CE-20 engine will increase the payload capacity of LVM3 to 450 kg with additional propellant loading.
- This engine is capable of generating more thrust, and can lift much more payload mass into space.
Major modifications in the CE20 engine include 3D-printed LOX (liquid oxygen) and LH2 (liquid hydrogen) turbine exhaust casing and thrust control valve (TCV).
Cryogenic engines are used in the upper stage of rocket launches, as they provide maximum thrust to the launcher vehicle.

A cryogenic engine is a rocket engine that uses cryogenic fuel or oxidizer.
- Its fuel or oxidizer (or both) gases are liquefied, and stored at very low temperatures.
Due to the use of liquid gases as propellant, cryogenic rocket engines are also called liquid propellant rocket engines.
Compared to conventional solid and liquid propellant rocket engines, these engines provide more thrust for every kilogram of fuel burned.
This engine uses cryogenic propellant, i.e. liquid hydrogen at -265 °C as fuel and liquid oxygen at -240 °C as oxidizer.
The major components of a cryogenic rocket engine are - the combustion chamber (thrust chamber), pyrotechnic initiator, fuel injector, fuel cryopump, oxidizer cryopump, gas turbine, cryo valve, regulator, fuel tank and rocket engine nozzle.
So far, only six countries have developed their own cryogenic engines - the US, France/European Space Agency, Russia, China, Japan and India.

Importance of cryogenic technology for India:

Cryogenic engines, used by ISRO for its GSLV programme, are very important for the progress of India's future space programmes.
It releases high energy per unit mass of fuel, making it particularly useful for space missions.
Cryogenic technology uses hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, and leaves water as a by-product, this is one of its greatest achievements, as its use does not cause any pollution.