The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating the restart capability of its Vikas liquid engine, a critical component for future reusable launch vehicles. The test, which involved firing the engine for 60 seconds, followed by a 120-second shutdown and a 7-second restart, marks the second successful trial of the engine’s restart feature. The previous trial in December 2024 demonstrated a shorter restart duration with a 42-second shut-off time and a 7-second firing duration.
The Vikas engine, a workhorse for ISRO’s liquid stages, plays a pivotal role in enabling the recovery and reuse of rocket stages. This technology is expected to significantly reduce the costs associated with future space missions.
With this successful demonstration, ISRO moves closer to developing reusable launch vehicles that will revolutionize space exploration. Further evaluations are currently underway, with the core liquid stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle prepared for an upcoming BlueBird Block 2 satellite mission.
This breakthrough is a major step forward in ISRO’s journey towards more sustainable and cost-effective space missions.
