LVM 3 - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
News: ISRO’s cryogenic engine, indigenously developed for LVM3, passes hot test
What's in the news?
● The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the hottest of CE20 cryogenic engines, which has been indigenously developed for LVM3, previously called the GSLV-Mk3.
Key takeaways:
● According
to the space agency, CE20 cryogenic engine is indigenously developed for LVM3.
It was subjected to a successful hot test at an uprated thrust level of 21.8
tonne for the first time on November 9, at Mahendragiri
in Tamil Nadu.
● This
will enhance the LVM3 payload capability up to 450 kg with additional
propellant loading. The major modifications carried out on this test article
compared to previous engines was introduction
of Thrust Control Valve (TCV) for thrust control.
● ISRO said in addition to the hot test, a 3D printed LOX and LH2 turbine exhaust casings were inducted in the engine for the first time.
LVM-3:
● LVM3
is a three-stage vehicle with two
solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage.
● LVM3-M2
is the dedicated commercial satellite
mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Central Public Sector
Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space, Government of India.
● The LVM3 is the heaviest launch vehicle of ISRO.
Payload capacity:
● The LVM3 was conceived primarily for launching geo-stationary satellites with a payload capacity of 4T, which can be used for launching 6T payloads for LEO.
Go back to basics:
● Last
month, the LVM3 launch vehicle placed 36 satellites of OneWeb; this was LVM’s first commercial launch.
● Following
the launch, ISRO said that the LVM3 has become a catalyst for the Indian Space
Programme, opening new vistas for heavy payloads to the Low Earth Orbit.
● Early
next year ISRO is expected to launch LVM’s second commercial launch.