
Wed Nov 19 10:34:41 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
News Article:
ISRO Achieves Breakthrough in Cryogenic Engine Technology with Successful “Boot-Strap” Start Test
Bengaluru, India – November 19, 2025 – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced today a significant advancement in cryogenic engine technology, successfully demonstrating a “boot-strap” mode start test on its CE20 cryogenic engine. The engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) rocket. The test was conducted on November 7, 2025, at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.
The 10-second test, performed under vacuum conditions, demonstrated the engine’s ability to start and operate without relying on external start-up systems. Currently, CE20 relies on a stored gas start-up system. This “boot-strap” mode capability is critical for future missions requiring multiple in-flight restarts of the CE20 engine. Without it, each restart would need an additional gas bottle, which would reduce the vehicle’s payload capability. ISRO noted that multiple in-flight restarts of the CE20 engine will be required for mission flexibility towards multi-orbit missions.
ISRO highlighted the use of a multi-element igniter in both the thrust chamber and gas generator to achieve this feat. The test successfully ignited the thrust chamber, then the gas generator, and started the turbo pumps without an auxiliary start-up system. This breakthrough positions ISRO as potentially the first space agency in the world to achieve boot-strap mode starting of a gas-generator cycle cryogenic engine without any auxiliary start-up system.