In a groundbreaking announcement at Kerala’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled three significant space projects, valued at Rs 1,800 crore. This ties in with his announcement about the astronaut team that would undertake the Gaganyaan Mission.
Among the projects, a spotlight shines on the newly inaugurated Semi-Cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This state-of-the-art facility is set to propel India’s space ambitions forward by advancing the testing and development of highly efficient cryogenic rocket engines.
ISRO’s Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri has received a significant upgrade, signaling a pivotal step in perfecting cryogenic engines. The journey began in 1994 with the Cryogenic Upper Stage Project, initiated to replace the Russian cryogenic engines India once relied upon. This development program is crucial in realizing India’s dream of sending its first citizens into space next year.
The CE-7.5, a milestone in ISRO’s cryogenic engine evolution, replaced the Russian KVD-1 engines on the GSLV Mk-I rocket. Despite an initial setback in 2010, the engine soared to success in 2014 as a booster for the upper stage of a GSLV Mk-II. Presently, India boasts two functional cryogenic engines, the CE-7.5 and the CE-20.
In a recent triumph, ISRO achieved the human certification of the domestically built CE-20 cryogenic engine, positioning it for deployment on the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. Cryogenic rocket engines have been pivotal in space exploration since the Apollo missions, and India now joins the elite league of countries with functional cryogenic engines, including China, Japan, Russia, the US, and France.
The newly inaugurated testing facility in Mahendragiri is poised to play a critical role in evaluating indigenously developed engines and their vital subsystems, such as gas generators and turbo pumps.
As the world watches, India’s progress in space exploration takes a giant leap forward, driven by innovation and commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific achievement. The Semi-Cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility stands as a testament to India’s skillset in the space domain, marking a new chapter in the country’s journey beyond Earth’s boundaries.
