Cryogenic Engine

A cryogenic engine is a liquid propellant rocket motor which uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants. Weight for weight produces a much higher thrust than rockets using other propellants. It is an essential part of any rocket used to launch geostationary satellites such as INSAT-2B. Since the propellants have to be stored at extremely low temperatures of around minus 200 degrees Celsius, the technology used here is quite complex. Indian scientists have already developed a prototype of a small cryogenic engine. Work is under way to develop a full scale version for the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).Basically to generate required thrust, Rocket engines will be needed high mass flow rate for both liquid oxidizer and fuel. This high thrust levels will be achieved when fuels with liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrocarbon used.LOX and hydrocarbons will be at gaseous state when at atmospheric conditions and to achieve high thrust rate, it will be fed in liquid state into the rocket engine. For this purpose, these liquefied fuels will be cooled down for use and hence it got the name Cryogenic Rocket Engines. The vital components that are used in cryogenic rocket engine are the thrust chamber also called as combustion chamber, fuel injector, gas turbine,cryo valves,regulators,fuel tanks, pyrotechnic igniter, fuel turbo pumps and rocket engine nozzle.