The engine is destined for the LVM3-M3 mission, which will propel the next 36 OneWeb India-1 satellites.
ISRO’s largest rocket, LVM3, is capable of launching a four-ton satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
The LVM3 is a three-stage launcher featuring two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core step, and a cryogenic phase.
The flight readiness hot test of the CE-20 engine was successfully done for 25 seconds in the High Altitude Test facility of the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.
According to sources, these satellites of OneWeb, a London-based satellite communications company, are anticipated to be launched onboard LVM3 by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the ISRO’s commercial arm, in January or February of next year.
The flight acceptance test on Friday occurs just days after the NSIL launches the first set of 36 OneWeb satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC- SHAR) in Sriharikota on October 23.
According to the company, OneWeb will deliver secure solutions to not just corporations but also to cities, villages, municipalities, and schools across the country, even in the most difficult-to-reach locations, connecting the farthest locations and establishing links all across the nation.
“Due to its CE-engine using LOX-LH2 propellants, the LVM-3 is capable of generating a nominal thrust of 186.36 kN in a vacuum,“ as per ISRO.
Key objectives of the flight acceptance test
– quality assurance of the hardware
– performance check of all the subsystems
– fine-tune the engine for achieving the mission criteria parameters for engine tuning for operation
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation, analysis of the test results revealed the satisfactory performance of the engine systems, and this engine will be linked to the C25 flight stage being integrated into the LVM3 M3 vehicle.
“We look forward to expanding our engagement with OneWeb and harnessing the potential that LEO connection has to deliver broadband services throughout India,” stated NSIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Radhakrishnan D.
Future engagements of NewSpace India Limited
NSIL had previously secured two launch service contracts with Network Access Associated Limited (OneWeb) for the launch of 72 OneWeb LEO (low earth orbit) satellites on ISRO’s LVM3. ISRO’s largest rocket, LVM3, is capable of launching a four-ton satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has expertise in offering space-related products and services arising from the Indian Space Programme to worldwide clients, as well as in promoting the development of the Indian industry in pursuing technologically complex space-related operations. The organisation is competent in PSLV Production, Satellite-Based Services, SSLV Manufacturing, Satellite-Building and Subsystems and Launch Services. It is a department of space schedule ‘A’ category premier enterprise facilitating Indian industries to boost high-tech manufacturing base for their space programme.
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