SCE-200


The SCE-200 is an Indian, under-development, liquid-fuel rocket engine, burning liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene in an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle. This engine is expected to power Indian Space Research Organization's upcoming Unified Launch Vehicle and Reusable Launch Vehicle. It is being developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, a subsidiary of ISRO. But before that it will be tested on a GSLV Mk III by replacing the L110 stage powered by the Vikas engine with an SC-200 stage powered by SCE-200 engine and a 200 tonne propellant load.

History

On June 2, 2005, India and Ukraine signed the Framework Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which would enter in force on February 15, 2006. As per unconfirmed information obtained by WikiLeaks this contract involved the transfer of blueprints for a rocket engine by the Yuzhnoye Design Office.
According to official press release on March 26, 2013 by Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, development of a rocket engine for Indian launch vehicles initiated in 2006 under a joint Indian-Ukrainian project named “Jasmine”
During May and June 2015, ISRO and Roscosmos signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in space. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman of the ISRO, stated that one of the first benefits would be the availability of Russian test stand for initial testing of the SCE-200, while the Mahendragiri semi-cryogenic test stand being built. The engine is a part of the semi-cryogenic launch vehicle program, which would be capable of placing in GTO.
In 2017, Ukrainian firm Yuzhmash was contracted by ISRO to conduct tests on critical components of SCE-200. First stage of contract is reportedly complete and tests are expected to be completed by 2019. The engine continues to be in development stage with a target date of 2022 Testing and significant progress will be made only after completion of Gaganyaan.