ISRO successfully tests largest cryogenic engine for GSLV Mark III rocket
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully ground tested India’s largest indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage engine for GSLV Mark III.
It was tested for full 10 minutes at ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Complex (ILPC) at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Key Facts
- The C25 stage is the most powerful upper stage so far developed by ISRO. It uses Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen propellant combination stored at minus 253 degrees centigrade.
- The development of C25 cryogenic stage will provide ISRO capability to launch 4 ton class satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), an altitude where satellites revolve in sync with Earth’s rotation.
- So far, the cryogenic engine consisting very complex technology has been developed only by Russia, US, France, China, Japan and India.
Significance of Test
- This was last test in the series before going for actual GSLV Mark III rocket launch in April 2017 where engine will be put into actual use.
- The GSLV Mark III rocket will be a successor to the GSLV Mark II which was first launched in 2001 and can carry a heavier payload than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or PSLV.
Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017