Cryogenic

adjective

/ˌkraɪəˈdʒɛnɪk/

Relating to the production and use of extremely low temperatures, typically below -150 degrees Celsius (-238 degrees Fahrenheit), at which gases such as hydrogen and oxygen are liquefied for use as rocket propellants.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's mastery of indigenous cryogenic engine technology, long withheld by the Missile Technology Control Regime, marked a decisive leap in strategic autonomy, enabling ISRO to place heavier communication satellites in orbit without dependence on foreign suppliers.

Synonyms

supercoldultra-low-temperaturefreezingcryonicfrigidsubzero

Antonyms

scorchingtorridincandescentsuperheated

🌱 Word Family

cryogenics (n), cryogen (n), cryogenically (adv), cryogenist (n)

🔡 Root

Greek kryos (κρύος) = icy cold, frost + -genic (from -genēs) = producing

📜 Etymology

From Greek kryos (κρύος, "icy cold, frost") + -genic ("producing"); first used in English in the 1890s; in India's space programme, indigenous cryogenic engine technology was a major milestone — ISRO developed its own Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) after technology transfer was denied by Russia under US pressure in the 1990s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "CRYO" (Greek 'kryos' = icy cold, as in cry-stals of frost) + "-GENIC" (generating) = generating extreme cold. Recall ISRO's cryogenic rocket engine running on icy-cold liquid hydrogen.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2022 — Space Technology

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Cryogenic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🔬 Science & Technology 📖 Seen in: Space Technology: ISRO, Missions, Sate...

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