ISRO fires semi-cryogenic engine at full 200-tonne thrust
ISRO completed the first 100% thrust hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine power head, aimed at a heavier LVM3.
what happened
ISRO conducted the ninth hot test of its Semi-Cryogenic Engine Power Head Test Article at the ISRO Propulsion Research Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, on September 5, reaching full thrust of 200 tonnes (100%) for the first time in the test series. The 35-second test included five seconds of operation at full thrust and validated a propellant-supply switchover from a low-pressure start tank to a medium-pressure run tank, per ISRO's own release. Earlier tests in the series reached 47%, 60%, and 88% thrust.
why it matters
The SE2000 engine under test is meant to power the SC120 stage that will eventually replace LVM3's current L110 liquid core stage, increasing the vehicle's payload capacity. A successful full-thrust run moves ISRO closer to qualifying the engine for flight, a step relevant to any commercial or government payload eventually riding an upgraded LVM3.
for who
Satellite operators planning future LVM3 launches
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- ISRO
- Category
- launch
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 5 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-09-05
- Published
- 2026-09-05 20:53 UTC