ISRO reports that it has completed a key engine test for an upgraded LVM-3 launch vehicle. Multiple outlets say the agency successfully performs a hot test of the Semi-Cryogenic Engine Power Head Test Article, producing about 175 tonnes of thrust. The test is described as a steady-state operation, reaching roughly 88% of the intended capacity during the run. ISRO also highlights the performance of the engine’s turbopumps during the trial.
The development is presented as a step toward a higher-thrust, more powerful semi-cryogenic engine intended for future LVM-3 variants. One account links the milestone to progress toward a 200-tonne thrust engine, while another frames it as taking India closer to heavier launches. Both sources state that the new engine uses LOX (liquid oxygen) and kerosene, with the expected outcome being improved payload capacity and efficiency for future launches.
No details are provided in the accounts about a specific launch date, flight hardware integration timeline, or independent review of the results.
