ISRO successfully test Vikas Engine Rocket from Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli

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The Vikas Engine is also used in the second stage and also at the four strap on stages of Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and in the twin-engine core liquid stage (L110) of GSLV Mk-III. (Image source: Twitter/@isro)
The Vikas Engine is also used in the second stage and also at the four strap on stages of Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and in the twin-engine core liquid stage (L110) of GSLV Mk-III. (Image source: Twitter/@isro)

New Delhi : ISRO has successfully conducted a ground test of its high power version of the Vikas Engine that would progress the payload capability of the space agency’s launch vehicles.

The total test duration was 195 seconds and conducted by scientists at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Space Research Organisation said its website.

The Vikas Engine is the workhorse liquid rocket engine used to power the second stage of the ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

It is also used in the second stage and also at the four straps on stages of Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and in the twin-engine core liquid stage (L110) of GSLV Mk-III.

“..a high thrust version of Vikas Engine was successfully qualified through a ground test for a duration of 195 seconds at the IPRC,” the space agency said.

During the test, the propulsion parameters were created to be “satisfactory” and “closely” coordinated the predictions.

The ground test has confirmed the performance capability of the Vikas Engine for its use in the upcoming second developmental flight of GSLV Mk-III.

For now, ISRO is planning to launch GSLV-MkIII-D2 during the second half of 2018 carrying GSAT-29. It carries multi-beam and optical communication payloads for the first time. The mission is targeted for Village Resource Centres in rural areas to bridge the digital divide.