ISRO tests thrust chamber for LOX methane engine

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has conducted testing of a subscale thrust chamber for the LOX methane engine that would be incorporated into the next generation of launch vehicles.

The test was conducted on January 27, 2026 at the Thrust Chamber Test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

“The subscale thrust chamber and single element injector head were successfully tested up to a chamber pressure of 56 bar. The subscale thrust chamber and single element injector head were achieved through additive manufacturing. Ignition and flame maintenance in the thrust chamber were achieved and the performance of all systems was normal,” ISRO said.

It added that the test article will be further used to select the optimal injector configuration through a series of further hot tests.

The space agency said development of the key engine subsystems is progressing at ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Center and testing of these subsystems on a smaller scale (subscale) has begun.

“An optimally designed thrust chamber with injector head is the key to the success of any cryogenic engine. ISRO has successfully conducted the first hot test of the high thrust LOX methane engine at thrust chamber level with a single element injector,” ISRO said.