Nellai. Sea-level hot test of CE20 cryogenic engine with thrust of 22 tonnes was successfully conducted at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri in Nellai district of Tamil Nadu.

Previously, sea-level tests were being conducted at the 19 tonne thrust level using the nozzle protection system. The CE20 cryogenic engine powers the upper cryogenic stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle. To increase the payload capacity of the LVM3 vehicle, future missions of LVM3 are planned to be operated with an upgraded C32 stage, with 22 tons of thrust thanks to the CE20 engine.