ISRO faced a small setback in its quest towards realisation of a semi-cryogenic engine as it terminated a hot test midway
ISRO conducted the first hot test on an intermediate configuration of the semi-cryogenic engine, known as Power Head Test Article at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Tamil Nadu
ISRO conducted the tes on July 1, 2023
The test was conducted towards developing a 2000 kN (kilo Newton) thrust semi-cryogenic engine to power the booster stages of future launch vehicles.
The test proceeded as predicted till 1.9 seconds validating the ignition and subsequent performance of PHTA
At 2.0 seconds, an unanticipated spike in the turbine pressure and subsequent loss of turbine-speed was observed
As a precautionary step, the test was terminated
Analysis under progress would offer further understanding before proceeding with further hot-tests for longer duration,ISRO said