21 Sep

LVM3 (GSLV MK-III)

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Contents

• Introduction
• Flights so far
• Significance of GSLV MK-III

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Introduction

LVM3 is a 3-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.

• Solid Rocket Boosters: S200 – GSLV MK III uses two S200 solid rockets boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust required for lift off. Fuel: HTPB.
• A liquid Propellant core stage (L110): The L110 liquid stage is powered by 2 Vikas engines.
• A Cryogenic Stage (C25): The C25 is an improvement on CE-20 Cryogenic engine, India’s largest cryogenic engine, designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion System Center
• Fuel: LOx + LH₂

Capability: GSLV-Mk III can launch 4 tons class of satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer orbit (GTO) or about 8-10 tons to LEO, which is twice the capability of GSLV Mk II.

Flights so far:

• First Experimental Flight in Dec 2014 (Dec 2014): LVM3/XCARE
• First Developmental Flight- GSLV-Mk III-D1 (June 2017) – Carried GSAT-19 to GTO
• 2^nd Developmental Flight – GSLV – MK -III – D2 (Nov 2018) – Carried GSAT-29 to GTO
• GSLV MK-III – M1 / Chandrayaan 2 Mission (July 2019)
• GSLV MK-III – M2/ OneWeb India-1 Mission (Oct 2022)
  • It was only the second operational flight of LVM3 (after Chandryaan-2 mission). It was a dedicated commercial satellite mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). This mission was undertaken as part of the commercial arrangement between NSIL and m/s Network Access Associates Limited (m/s OneWeb Ltd), a UK based company. A total of 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites of about 150 Kg each totaling about 5,796 Kg were launched to a circular LEO of about 601 km with a 87.4 degree inclination.
• LVM3 M3/ OneWeb India-2 Mission Accomplished Successfully (March 2023)
  • In its sixth consecutive successfully flight of LVM3, the vehicle placed 36 satellites belonging to the OneWeb Group company in their intended 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees.
  • The total weight of the payload was 5,805 kg.
• LVM3 M4/ Chandrayaan 3.0 Mission was accomplished in July 2023

Significance of GSLV MK-III for India’s Space Program

• • Self-Reliance: The vehicle has made ISRO fully self-reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class, which weighs between 4500 to 5000 kg. Before GSLV-MK-III for satellite weighing more than 2,500 kg to GTO were launched with foreign help. E.g., GSAT-18 was launched from Ariane, French Guiana.
  • Saves Money: The mission’s success will enable India to launch four-tonne satellites on its own rocket instead of paying huge amounts of money to foreign space agencies to execute the operation.
  • Commercialization: Launching satellites is a huge market, and India’s PSLV has already shown its mettle. Now it’s time for GSLV to show its significance.
  • Advancement in Science and Technology: The development of GSLV-MK-III enhances India’s image as a Space Power. The latest cryogenic engine CE-20 is another of India’s S&T achievements.
  • Enhances India’s Soft Power: We will be able to launch heavier satellites for other countries and this will play a big role in improving our significance at the world stage.
  • Future ISRO Missions: ISRO in long term is also planning GSLV-MK-III to be India’s first vehicle to ferry people into space (Gaganyaan).

Conclusion

The rocket has the potential to change the satellite launch landscape for India and other countries who take space services from India.

Example Questions

Discuss the significance of GSLV-MK-III in India’s space program [10 marks, 150 words]