Bangalore: India on Saturday successfully carried out the first test of a cryogenic rocket engine at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu, putting the country in a select club of nations possessing such a capability.
"The test lasting 50 seconds was conducted at the Indian Space Research Organisation's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and was very successful", ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.
"We had a very successful first cryogenic stage test at Mahendragiri. It is a major milestone in the development of rocket systems in the country," Nair said.
Only developed countries have reached this stage, he said. "We have also qualified now."
Nair said one more long-duration test would be conducted in the next three to four weeks, which would make the engine ready for flight.
The first cryogenic engine successfully tested today was equivalent to the "Russian stage" supplied to India earlier, said Nair, who is also secretary of the Space Commission and chairman of the Department of Space.
The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre is engaged in developing liquid and cryogenic propulsion engines for rockets and auxiliary propulsion systems for both rockets and satellites.
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