LME-1100


The LME-1100 is an under-development liquid-fueled rocket engine, burning liquid oxygen and liquid methane. It is being developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Center and will be used on future launch vehicles of ISRO such as the NGLV. As of 2026, The design and development phase of this engine is nearing completion. The LME-1100 engine will be developed with a nominal thrust of 1100kN.

LME-1100
Country of originIndia
DesignerLPSC, ISRO
StatusIn Development
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantLOX / Methane
CycleGas Generator
Performance
Thrust, vacuum1,100 kN (250,000 lbf)
Used in
NGLV

History

In 2019 and 2020, a LH/LOX cryogenic CE-20 Engine was modified into using Methalox propellants as development perquisite of the LME-1100. This engine was called the LM20-TD engine. modifications were carried out in the propellant flow control system and the engine start-up systems. The LM-20-TD also operated on the gas generator cycle with major subsystems derived from the LOX/LH2 CE-20. One cold flow test and five hot tests were carried out successfully at IPRC. ISRO has developed a spark torch igniter for the LOX-Methane engine that will have higher ignition reliability and also cleaner combustion products. A sub-scale thrust chamber model was developed and tested by LPSC and IPRC in late-January 2026 to evaluate the design for a LOX-Methane engine for induction in the NGLV Programme under the LMSE HT-03 development programme.

The First full ignition test of the LME-1100 Gas Generator Cycle engine was carried out on 9 October 2026. More than 70% of the engine components were made through additive manufacturing by industrial partners in India. ISRO is targeting full integration of the engine by June 2027. The engine is expected to support NGLV payload capacity to send upto 30 tonnes of payload to Lunar orbit, supporting potential crewed missions. LPSC has consulted Raja Ramanna Advanced Technology Centre for technological implements on engine development.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Advanced Propulsion Systems". www.lpsc.gov.in. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Annual_Report_2025_26_Eng_29042026_Rev.pdf
  3. 1 2 "Development of LOX-Methane engine in ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "Multiple restarts of Launch Vehicle Stages - ISRO successfully carried out ignition trial using Spark Torch Igniter". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "ISRO conducts testing of sub-scale thrust chamber for LOX-Methane Engine". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Raja Ramanna Advanced Technology Centre & ISRO's Liquid Propulsion System Centre Signed MoU; Rocket tech To Materialise In 2 Years". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 27 October 2026.