ISRO is reviewing the reasons for the failure of the GSLV-D3 mission on April 15, which was primarily meant to test the indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage of the rocket. In a recent statement, they have concluded that contrary to the earlier belief, the malfunctioning of another part and not the cryogenic engine, led to the failure.
Was curious to find out what is a cryogenic engine. So, here goes:
A cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer, that is, its fuel or oxidizers (or both) are gasses liquefied and stored at very low temperatures. Notably, these engines were one of the main factors of the ultimate success in reaching the Moon by the Saturn V rocket.
Various cryogenic fuel-oxidizer combinations have been tried, but the combination of liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel and the liquid oxygen (LOX) oxidizer is one of the most widely used. Both components are easily and cheaply available, and when burned have one of the highest entropy releases by combustion, producing specific impulse up to 450 s (effective exhaust velocity 4.4 km/s).
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