July 07, 2026

The upper stage of LVM3 launch vehicle is powered by indigenously developed CE20 cryogenic engine. The engine is also qualified to operate at thrust levels ranging from 19 to 22 tonne and the engine performed successfully in 8 successive LVM3 missions including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and three commercial missions. Human-rating qualification requirements were also accomplished on this engine for inducting in Gaganyaan missions

In order to enable testing of CE20 engine with nozzle of full area ratio 100 under sea-level conditions, the Nozzle Protection System (NPS) was developed and validated on a qualification engine with multiple tests. Implementation of NPS simplifies complex activities associated with testing under High Altitude Test (HAT) conditions; requires less resources and enables enhancement of test duration.

Flight acceptance hot test of CE20 engine earmarked for LVM3-M7 mission is successfully carried out with a thrust level of 22 t using NPS for the first time at Main Engine & stage Test facility (MET) at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri on 06^th July 2026. During this test, the engine was operated with a thrust level of 19.5 t for 45 s duration & 22 t for a duration of 25 s.

Test results confirm the satisfactory performance of the engine systems & NPS. The engine will be further refurbished and assembled to the C32 flight stage being integrated for the LVM3-M7 vehicle.