ISRO successfully conducts short duration hot test of semicryogenic engine

Employees stand next to Heat Shield of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II inside a manufacturing facility of the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems Complex on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a short duration hot test of the semicryogenic engine at its facility in the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

This ignition test conducted on April 24, 2025 is the second milestone after the successful first hot test on March 28, 2025, that was a major breakthrough in the testing of the semicryogenic engine test programme.

In this test, the Engine Power Head Test Article, encompassing all engine systems except the thrust chamber, was subjected to a hot test for a duration of 3.5 seconds that validated the engine start-up sequence. During the test, the engine was successfully ignited and operated up to 60% of its rated power level, demonstrating stable and controlled performance.

“These tests are part of a planned series of evaluations designed to validate the design integrity and performance of critical subsystems, including the low-pressure and high-pressure turbo pumps, pre-burner and associated control systems. The results provided crucial data to finalise the operational sequencing of the full semicryogenic engine,” ISRO said.

Further qualification tests are scheduled to comprehensively validate the engine system, ultimately paving the way for its induction into ISRO’s launch vehicles.

NISAR satellite

Meanwhile, the launch campaign activities for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite onboard the GSLV-F16 has already commenced in Sriharikota, ISRO said.

The Second Stage (GS2) of ISRO’s GSLV launch vehicle was flagged off by V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space/ Chairman, ISRO, on March 24, 2025, from the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, to the launch complex at Sriharikota.

“The Directors of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) also participated in the flag-off ceremony. This liquid stage is earmarked for the upcoming mission of GSLV (GSLV-F16), that will launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite,” ISRO said.