ISRO Conducts First Hot Test of LOX-Methane Engine for Next Generation Launch Vehicle
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has conducted the first hot test of its LOX-Methane engine at the thrust chamber level, a milestone in developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), known as Soorya. The test was performed at the ISRO Propulsion Complex's Thrust Chamber Test Facility, achieving a chamber pressure of 56 bar.
The sub-scale thrust chamber and injector were produced using additive manufacturing, with successful ignition and sustained combustion. The LOX-Methane engine is being developed for ISRO's reusable, modular NGLV, which will utilize liquid propulsion systems.
The NGLV will feature clustered LOX-Methane engines in its first two stages and a cryogenic engine in the third, with a lift-off mass of approximately 1,000 tonnes. The project has an estimated cost of ₹8,240 crore (around $915 million) and aims to deliver payloads of up to 30 tonnes to low Earth orbit.
