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Indian semi-cryogenic rocket engine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The SCE-200 (also referred as Semi-Cryogenic Engine-200) is a 2 MN thrust class liquid rocket engine, being developed to power Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) existing LVM3 and upcoming heavy and super heavy-lift launch vehicles. It is being developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO, and is expected to have first flight in 2020s.
![]() Power Head Test Article (PHTA) for SCE-200 | |
Country of origin | India |
---|---|
Designer | LPSC, ISRO |
Manufacturer | Godrej & Boyce[1][2] |
Application | Main engine |
Status | Under Development |
Liquid-fuel engine | |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Mixture ratio | 2.65[3] |
Cycle | Staged combustion |
Configuration | |
Chamber | 1 |
Performance | |
Thrust, vacuum | 2,030 kN (460,000 lbf)[4] |
Thrust, sea-level | 1,820 kN (410,000 lbf)[4] |
Throttle range | 60% to 105% [3] |
Chamber pressure | 18 MPa (2,600 psi)[3] |
Specific impulse, vacuum | 335 seconds (3.29 km/s) |
Specific impulse, sea-level | 299 seconds (2.93 km/s) |
Mass flow | 640 kg/s [5] |
Dimensions | |
Dry mass | ~2700 kg |
Burning liquid oxygen (LOX) and RP-1 kerosene in an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle,[6] the engine will boost payload capacity of LVM3 replacing current L110 stage powered by 2 Vikas engines. It is also expected to power ISRO's upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)[7] rockets (previously planned as ULV) as well as ISRO's future reusable rockets based on RLV technology demonstrations.[8][9][10][11][12]
The engine in September 2019 reportedly had become ready to begin testing in Ukraine and enter service no earlier than 2022. The use of engine of India's first human spaceflight, hence was ruled out by ISRO. By November 2022, SCE-200 had neared completion of its qualification tests. The Semi-Cryogenic Engine and Stage Test Facility at the ISRO Propulsion Complex Mahendergiri was preparing for ground tests now that the SCE-200 had reached the final stages of development.[13]
On June 2, 2005, India and Ukraine signed the Framework Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which would enter in force on February 15, 2006.[14] Agreement also involved the transfer of blueprints for a rocket engine by the Yuzhnoye Design Office. The engine blueprints supposedly transferred by Ukraine to India, have been identified as the RD-810 which in turn is a variant of Russian RD-120.[15][16][17]
According to official press release on March 26, 2013, by Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, development of a rocket engine for Indian launch vehicles initiated in 2006 under a joint Indian-Ukrainian project named "Jasmine".[18][19][15][20][21]
In 2009, SCE-200 program was approved for ₹1,798 crore (US$220 million) and program to develop a 2 MN class main engine began.[22]
During May and June 2015, ISRO and Roscosmos signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in space.[23] A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of the ISRO, stated that one of the first benefits would be the availability of Russian test stand for initial testing of the SCE-200, while the Mahendragiri semi-cryogenic test stand being built. The engine is a part of the ₹1,800 crore (US$220 million) semi-cryogenic launch vehicle program, which would be capable of placing 6,000–10,000 kilograms (13,000–22,000 lb) in GTO.[23][24] The engine however will not be the part of first flight of Gaganyaan, India's first crewed mission to space, given timelines and schedules.[25]
In 2017, Ukrainian firm Yuzhmash was contracted by ISRO to conduct tests on critical components of SCE-200. First stage of contract was reportedly complete and tests were expected to be completed by 2019.[15][26][27] In April 2022, ISRO chairman S. Somanath stated that tests within the country were to begin in next 3 months.[28] By November 2022, the test facility and stand had been nearly ready for engine as well as SC120 stage test which would upgrade India's existing LVM3 rocket.[29][30]
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