ISRO Successfully Demonstrates Restart Capability of Vikas Liquid Engine.
Science and Technology
In January 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, successfully demonstrated the restart capability of its Vikas liquid engine at the Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This achievement is a significant step towards developing stage recovery technologies for reusable launch vehicles.
- During the test, the Vikas engine was fired for 60 seconds, shut off for 120 seconds, and then restarted to fire again for 7 seconds. All engine parameters during the test were within normal limits, meeting performance expectations.
- The Vikas engine, a reliable workhorse for ISRO's liquid stages in launch vehicles, plays a crucial role in enhancing the versatility of ISRO's missions. Further tests are planned to optimize the engine's performance under restart conditions.
- In the same month, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan flagged off the core liquid stage (L110) of the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) from the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, to the launch complex at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Main Point :- (i) The L110 stage, powered by twin Vikas engines with a propellant loading capacity of 110 tonnes, was designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
(ii) The L110 stage is designated for the LVM3 mission under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and AST SpaceMobile & Science LLC, USA, to launch the BlueBird Block 2 satellite.
(iii) The L110 stage, which is the tenth liquid core stage integrated at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, reflects ISRO's continued advancements in liquid propulsion technology and its commitment to commercial space ventures.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Chairman : V. Narayanan
Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka
____________________________
