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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Cryogenic

adjective / kry-oh-JEN-ik / Medium
Meaning

Relating to the production and effects of very low temperatures (below −150°C); in rocketry, refers to engines using propellants stored at such extreme cold.

Origin / Etymology

Greek kryos (icy cold) + genic (producing)

Synonyms
Ultra-cold Deep-freeze (informal)
Example Sentence
"ISRO's CE20 cryogenic engine, which uses liquid hydrogen stored at −253°C and liquid oxygen at −183°C, achieved 22-tonne thrust during its 20th hot test in March 2026 at IPRC Mahendragiri."
🎯 UPSC Usage

Central to India's space programme. The cryogenic engine is critical because it delivers the highest specific impulse (efficiency) of any chemical propellant combination. India was denied cryogenic technology by Russia in 1994 under US/MTCR pressure, forcing indigenous development, a story of strategic autonomy. ISRO's CE20 powers LVM3 (Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan). Only 6 countries have mastered cryogenic technology: USA, Russia, France (ESA), Japan, China, India.

Relevant Subjects
Science Tech
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