Successful Engine Restart:
- ISRO recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating the restart capability of the Vikas engine, a crucial step towards reusable launch vehicles.
Vikas Engine Overview:
- The Vikas engine is a family of hypergolic liquid-fuel rocket engines developed by ISRO, powering various launch vehicles like PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3.
Recent Testing Success:
- On January 17, 2025, the Vikas engine was successfully restarted after a 120-second shut-off period, following previous tests with shorter durations.
Engine Specifications:
- The Vikas engine uses UDMH as fuel and N2O4 as oxidizer, producing a maximum thrust of 725 kN.
Engine Variants:
- Different versions of the Vikas engine exist, including the HTVE (800 kN thrust) and the HPVE (under development).
Throttling Capability:
- The Vikas engine has demonstrated throttling capabilities, allowing for precise control during missions.
Gaganyaan Mission:
- The Vikas engine will be crucial for India’s Gaganyaan mission, with a high-thrust variant tested for extreme conditions.
Commercial Launch Operations:
- ISRO has initiated commercial operations for the LVM3 launch vehicle’s L110 core liquid stage, marking a significant step in its global space commerce endeavors.