Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has achieved another milestone for landing a spacecraft on the Moon. Last Friday, February 24, the agency successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine that will power the rocket for Chandrayaan-3.
The 25-second hot test was a resounding success, with all propulsion parameters satisfactory and closely matching predictions. The CE-20 cryogenic engine will be further integrated with the propellant tank, stage structure and associated fluid lines to realize a fully integrated flight cryogenic stage, ISRO confirmed.
The CE-20 cryogenic engine is set to power the cryogenic upper stage (CUS) of the GSLV-Mk3 or LVM3-M4 launch vehicle for the Chandrayaan-3 mission. ISRO has been moving at breakneck speed since early 2023, and this successful hot test is just the latest sign that the mission is progressing as planned.
Earlier this month, between January 31 and February 3, the Chandrayaan-3 lander also underwent EMI/EMC (Electro-Magnetic Interference/Electro-Magnetic Compatibility) tests, aimed at ensuring the functionality and compatibility of satellite subsystems in space. Expected electromagnetic level.
ISRO reported that the test confirmed launcher compatibility, antenna polarization of all RF systems, individual automatic compatibility tests for orbital and powered descent mission phases, and lander and rover compatibility tests for the post-landing mission phase. All system performance was satisfactory.
The completion of these tests marks a major milestone for the realization of the satellites and shows how mission development is gathering momentum from early 2023.
Chandrayaan-3, a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, is India’s third moon mission, aimed at demonstrating end-to-end capabilities in safe lunar landing and orbiting.
Slated to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota later this year, reports suggest that a launch could be on the cards between July-August this year.
(With inputs from IANS and Times of India)
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