India has completed a 17min-long static firing test of the 15,640lb-thrust (70kN) liquid-oxygen/liquid-hydrogen first-stage engine intended to power an uprated version of the indigenous geostationary satellite launch vehicle (GSLV). The firing was 5min longer than would be required for an operational launch of a satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
The test was conducted at the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) liquid propulsion systems centre at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. Two of the cryogenic engines will power the first stage of the uprated GSLV III. ISRO is continuing work on a cryogenic upper-stage engine for the launch vehicle at Thiruvananthapuram, to replace the Russian upper-stage engine.
India says the uprated first-stage engine firing is a step towards a manned moon launch by 2015. More realistically, it could improve India's opportunities in the satellite launch market.
Source: Flight International
