Skyroot Aerospace test-fires advanced fully 3D-printed cryogenic engine

Tags: Science and Technology National News

In Nagpur, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for a duration of 200 seconds on 4 April.

An overview of the news

• This is the second cryogenic rocket that has been successfully test-fired by Skyroot, following the Dhawan-I engine that was tested in November 2021. 

• The achievement comes after the November 2022 launch of Vikram-S, making Skyroot the first Indian private company to send a rocket into space.

• The engine has been developed by the company for its heavy vehicle Vikram II.

• This cryogenic engine will be used as an advanced stage of the updated version of Vikram-II.

• The cryogenic engine series is named after Dr. Satish Dhawan, a renowned Indian rocket scientist who played a key role in the development of the Indian space programme.

Utilisation of Skyroot’s cryogenic rocket engines

• Skyroot's cryogenic rocket engines use two high-performance rocket propellants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), which require cryogenic temperatures (below -150 °C) for storage and operation .

• Fully cryogenic engines are ideal for rocket upper stages due to their high specific impulse, which increases payload carrying capacity.

Skyroot Aerospace

• Skyroot Aerospace is a spacetech start-up that aims to address growing concerns in the global space industry.

• It provides low cost launch solutions to reach space in short time.

• The startup's three launch vehicles - Vikram I, II and III - can carry payloads ranging from 200 kg to 700 kg to low Earth orbit.

• Currently, the team is testing a 3D printed liquid propellant engine and a fully composite (carbon fiber) and high-performance solid rocket motor.

• Headquarters - Hyderabad, Telangana