ISRO Announces Thruster Delivery and Engine Test Progress

ISRO announced propulsion-related updates on 2026-10-16. It reported that small thrusters were developed and delivered for SLV-3. It also reported successful LM20-TD tests and formal key technology development for LME1100.

ISRO's announcement is dated 2026-10-16. It said small thrusters were developed and delivered for SLV-3.

The Vikas engine is specified at 800 kN. It is described as a workhorse liquid engine used in PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.

India has mastered cryogenic propulsion and is self-reliant in launching communication satellites. ISRO also developed and delivered monopropellant thrusters, and it developed bi-propellant Liquid Apogee Motors for INSAT.

Throttle-able propulsion systems were developed for Chandrayaan-3. India also achieved the milestone of being first to land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole.

LOX-Methane engines are identified as primary propulsion for NGLV. Design inputs for a LOX-Methane engine were utilized from a Technology Demonstrator.

The LM20-TD engine has a vehicle specification of 20 ton and uses a gas generator cycle. It was developed and tested using CE-20 subsystems; one cold flow test was successful, and five hot tests were successful. IPRC's cryogenic engine test facility was augmented for LM20 testing.

The LME1100 is specified at 1100 kN and uses a Gas Generator Cycle. Formal key technology development for it was initiated, and more than 70% of its components were realized through Additive Manufacturing.

The reported items cover small thrusters, a workhorse liquid engine, cryogenic propulsion and LOX-Methane engine work. This spans propulsion for launch vehicles and spacecraft systems.

Throttle-able propulsion developed for Chandrayaan-3 and the first landing of a spacecraft near the lunar south pole are relevant to lunar industry tracking. The facts also identify LOX-Methane engines as primary propulsion for NGLV.