PTI

BANGALORE, Oct 28: In a major breakthrough in its space programme, India on Saturday successfully conducted the first test of its indigenously developed cryogenic rocket engine at a facility at Mahindragiri in Tamil Nadu.

"We had a very successful first cryogenic stage test at Mahindragiri at 6.20 pm. It is a major milestone in the development of rocket systems in the country," Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.

The test at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Centre at Mahindragiri lasted 50 seconds, he said.

"Only developed countries have this stage. We have also qualified now," Nair said.

"We will go for one more long duration test in the next three or four weeks which will make it ready for flight."

The first cryogenic engine successfully tested on Saturday was equivalent to the "Russian stage" supplied to India earlier, said Nair, who is also secretary of the Space Commission and chairman of the Department of Space.

The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre is engaged in developing liquid and cryogenic propulsion engines for rockets and auxiliary propulsion systems for both rockets and satellites.