TheSE-2000 (formerly known asSCE-200, also referred asSemi-Cryogenic Engine-2000) is a 2MN thrust class liquid rocket engine, being developed to powerISRO's existingLVM3 and upcomingheavy andsuper heavy-lift launch vehicles. It is being developed by theLiquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO, and is expected to have first flight in 2020s.
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 ofIndia's first human spaceflight, hence was ruled out by ISRO. By November 2022, SE-2000 had neared completion of its qualification tests. The Semi-Cryogenic Engine and Stage Test Facility at theISRO Propulsion Complex Mahendergiri was preparing for ground tests now that the SE-2000 had reached the final stages of development.[13]
On 2 June 2005, India and Ukraine signed theFramework 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 15 February 2006.[14] Agreement also involved the transfer of blueprints for a rocket engine by theYuzhnoye Design Office. The engine blueprints supposedly transferred by Ukraine to India, have been identified as theRD-810 which in turn is a variant of RussianRD-120.[15][16][17]
According to official press release on 26 March 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]
With the SE-2000 and an upratedCE-20, the LVM3's cargo capacity will increase from 4 to 5 tons inGTO. The propellant feeding system of the SE-2000 provide pressures of up to 600bar, while the chamber pressure is 180 bar.[22]
In 2009, SE-2000 program was approved for₹1,798 crore (US$210 million) and program to develop a 2 MN class main engine began.[23]
During May and June 2015, ISRO andRoscosmos signed a wide-rangingMemorandum of Understanding for cooperation in space.[24]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 SE-2000, while theSemi-cryogenic Integrated Engine Test Facility atMahendragiri being built. The engine is a part of the₹1,800 crore (US$210 million) semi-cryogenic launch vehicle program, which would be capable of placing 6,000–10,000 kilograms (13,000–22,000 lb) inGTO.[24][25] The engine however will not be the part of first flight ofGaganyaan, India's first crewed mission to space, given timelines and schedules.[26]
In 2017, Ukrainian firmYuzhmash was contracted by ISRO to conduct tests on critical components of SE-2000. First stage of contract was reportedly complete and tests were expected to be completed by 2019.[15][27][28] In April 2022, ISRO chairmanS. Somanath stated that tests within the country were to begin in next 3 months.[29] 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.[30][31]
The intermediate configuration, designated as thePower Head Test Article (PHTA), which includes all engine systems except the thrust chamber, will undergo performance evaluation tests prior to the integrated engine level hot tests. It will serve as an engine prototype for the SE-2000.[32]
10 May 2023: First integrated test of 2000 kN semi-cryogenic engine on an intermediate configuration was conducted at Semi cryogenic Integrated Engine & Stage Test (SIET) facility inISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC). During the test, complex chill-down operations were performed to meet necessary conditions for engine start.[33]
1 July 2023: First hot test with intermediate configuration of the semi-cryogenic engine, known as Power Head Test Article (PHTA) was conducted at SIET facility. The test proceeded nominally till 1.9 seconds validating the ignition and subsequent performance of PHTA. At 2.0 seconds, an unexpected spike in the turbine pressure and subsequent loss of turbine-speed was observed. The test was terminated mid-way as a precaution. The intended duration of test was 4.5 seconds to validate the performance of the gas generator, turbo pumps, pre-burner and control components with focus on the ignition and hot-gas generation within the pre-burner chamber.[34]
2 May 2024: First ignition trial of Pre-burner Ignition Test Article (PITA) was conducted nominally at SIET facility. PITA is a full complement of the engine power head system but without turbo pumps.[35] It was proved that the pre-burner could ignite smoothly and continuously. A start fuel ampule that combinestriethylaluminium andtriethyleboron created byVikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is used to ignite semi-cryogenic engine and utilized for the first time in ISRO's 2000 kN semi-cryogenic engine. For characterization, injector elemental level ignition tests were carried out at the VSSC Propulsion Research Laboratory Division (PRLD). Additionally, work is being done on the creation of a semi-cryogenic stage that can load 120 tons of propellant.[36]
28 March 2025: PHTA underwent its first successful hot test at the IPRC to validate the propellant feed system's design, comprising the low- and high-pressure turbo-pumps, the pre-burner, the starter system, and the control components. Over the course of the 2.5 seconds test, the engine's seamless ignition and boost strap mode operation were demonstrated.[32] All of the engine parameters were as expected. Before the fully integrated engine is realized, ISRO is further planning a series of tests on PHTA to optimize the performance.[37]
24 April 2025: PHTA underwent second hot test for 3.5 second duration, validating the engine start-up sequence and demonstrating stable and controlled performance. In this test, the engine was ignited successfully and operated up to 60% of its rated power level.[38]
28 May 2025: PHTA underwent third hot test for 3 second duration, further fine-tuning the engine start-up sequence and demonstrating stable and controlled performance. In this test, the engine was ignited successfully and operated up to 60% of its rated power level.[39]
^"Tests commenced on Semicryogenic engine at IPRC, Mahendragiri".www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved10 May 2023.This test demonstrated the complex chill-down operations spanning about 15 hours duration that was conducted successfully, meeting all the required conditions for engine start.After the chill down of the LOX circuit, the feed circuit of kerosene was filled, and LOX was admitted into the gas generator by opening the injection valve. Successful performance of the test article helps derive the sequence of operations for further tests.
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