How ISRO is building its LOX-Methane engines for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle

Background

ISRO, whose Gaganyaan separation tests are in the news this week, is also developing engines that burn liquid oxygen and liquid methane.
The combination is ISRO's primary propulsion choice for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle and for a future heavy-lift vehicle for a crewed lunar landing targeted for 2040.
The LM20-TD technology demonstrator gives about 20 tonnes of thrust and was built by modifying the existing CE-20 cryogenic engine.
The LME1100 is a 1100 kN gas generator cycle engine whose full-scale gas generator had its first ignition test on 9 October 2026.
The design of a 2400 kN engine based on a Full Flow Staged Combustion Cycle, meant for a human-rated heavy-lift vehicle, is complete.
More than 70 per cent of LME1100 parts are produced by additive manufacturing, and methane is preferred because it burns cleanly, needs little maintenance and can be made on Mars from carbon dioxide and water ice.