♦ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a key ground test of its CE20 cryogenic engine, demonstrating higher thrust capability that could improve the performance of India’s heavy-lift rocket, the LVM3 launch vehicle.

♦ The sea-level hot test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu, where the engine operated for 165 seconds and generated about 22 tonnes of thrust.

♦ The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of LVM3 and is critical for missions requiring heavy payloads.

♦ It has also been human-rated for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission.