Bengaluru: India’s march toward its first human spaceflight gathered fresh momentum as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a crucial ground test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine — the powerhouse that will propel the Gaganyaan mission’s LVM3 rocket.
The high-stakes test, carried out at ISRO’s propulsion complex, validated the engine’s performance across demanding conditions required for human spaceflight. Engineers confirmed that the CE-20 has now completed its full human-rating qualification, proving its reliability under both normal and extreme stress scenarios.
Indian Space Research Organisation achieved a major milestone: the CE20 Cryogenic Engine demonstrated successful boot-strap mode start, igniting and running without any auxiliary start-gas system under vacuum test conditions.
For more information visithttps://t.co/401OBeEd0c pic.twitter.com/DRnzUUKviP— ISRO (@isro) November 19, 2025
The CE-20, which delivers up to 22 tonnes of thrust, will drive the cryogenic upper stage of the LVM3 — the heavy-lift launcher chosen to carry Indian astronauts to low-Earth orbit. This achievement marks one of the final propulsion milestones before the mission’s flight-integration phase.
ISRO noted that the engine underwent comprehensive life-demonstration, endurance and stress-performance trials, ensuring it meets stringent crew-safety standards. With this test, the agency has reaffirmed its capability in complex cryogenic technology — a critical requirement for crewed space missions.
The success pushes India a step closer to joining the elite group of nations capable of launching humans into space on an indigenous launch vehicle. Up next for ISRO: system-level integration, crew-module testing, abort-system checks, and final mission rehearsals.
With propulsion now locked in, Gaganyaan is narrowing the gap between ambition and lift-off — and India’s human-spaceflight dream is within striking distance.
