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- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing a Next-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which will one day replace operational systems like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- PSLV, often dubbed the ‘trusted workhorse’, “will have to retire” one day, which opened at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiyamala.
- In NGLV, ISRO is understood to be looking at a cost-efficient, three-stage, reusable heavy-lift vehicle with a payload capability of 10 tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
- NGLV will feature semi-cryogenic propulsion for the booster stages which is cheaper and efficient
- “We believe at least 10 tonne capability to GTO is needed. Correspondingly, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capability will be twice that.
- However, payload capability will be lower when the rocket is reusable
- Simple, robust design
- NGLV will feature a simple, robust design that allows bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems and stages and minimal turnaround time.
- Potential uses will be in the areas of launching communication satellites, deep space missions, future human spaceflight and cargo missions.
PSLV
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
- After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India with 39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017.
- During 1994-2017 period, the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites and 209 satellites for customers from abroad.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
- It is a four stage launch vehicle.
- A large solid rocket motor forming the first stage,
- An earth storable liquid stage as the second stage,
- A high performance solid rocket motor as third stage, and
- A liquid stage with engines as fourth stage.
The vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013
Vehicle Variants and Launch Capability
| PSLV-CA |
No. of strap-on motors : Nil Payload capability to SSPO (600 km) : 1019 Kg |
| PSLV- DL | No. of strap-on motors : Two
Payload capability to SSPO (600 km) : 1257 Kg |
| PSLV-QL |
No. of strap-on motors : Four |
| PSLV-XL |
No. of strap-on motors : Six Payload capability to SSPO (600 km) : 1673 Kg Payload capability to sub GTO (284 x 20650 km) : 1425 Kg Payload capability to SSPO (600 km) : 1523 Kg |
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB
