ISRO successfully conducts 220 kN hot test of CE20 engine for upcoming LVM3 mission

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday said that it has successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at uprated thrust conditions of 220 kN, marking another step towards the upcoming LVM3 mission.

The test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, according to a post shared by the space agency on social media platform X.

The CE20 engine tested is earmarked for the C32 upper stage of the upcoming LVM3 mission. The test at 220 kN represents the uprated thrust condition for the cryogenic engine and is aimed at validating its performance ahead of its flight assignment.

"Flight acceptance hot test of CE20 cryogenic engine earmarked for the C32 upper stage of upcoming LVM3 mission at uprated thrust conditions of 220kN is successfully carried out at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri on September 09, 2026," ISRO said.

"Performance of the LOX Tank Pressurization Module (LTPM) meant for the C32 stages for Gaganyaan missions was also successfully demonstrated in this test," it added.

During the same test, ISRO also successfully demonstrated the performance of the LOX Tank Pressurization Module (LTPM), which is designed for the C32 stages intended for the Gaganyaan missions.

The successful hot test comes as ISRO continues to develop and qualify advanced propulsion and launch systems for India’s expanding space programme. The LVM3 remains a key launch vehicle for the country’s heavier missions and is also central to India’s human spaceflight ambitions.

The space agency has been pursuing a broader expansion of India’s space capabilities, with a focus on next-generation launch systems, human spaceflight, lunar and planetary exploration and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

ISRO has previously said that India’s space-sector reforms are aimed at building a larger national space ecosystem in which private industry, startups and academia complement the agency’s work, while ISRO focuses increasingly on advanced research, frontier technologies and complex national missions.

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