Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) in September 2024. This initiative aims to enhance India's space capabilities with a focus on human spaceflight and lunar missions by 2040.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Next Generation Launch Vehicle.
About Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)
- Aim: To develop a new generation of human rated launch vehicles with high payload capability & reusability.
- NGLV will undergo three developmental flights (D1, D2, and D3), with a target completion timeline of 96 months (eight years). Completion is expected by 2032.
- A total budget of ₹8,240 crores has been approved for the program, covering development costs, three test flights etc.
Specifications of NGLV:
- NGLV is a three-stage partially reusable Heavy-lift launch vehicle, currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Reusability: It will have a reusable first stage, which would be utilised 15 to 20 times, to make the launches more affordable.
- Length: NGLV is projected to have a liftoff mass of 1,000 tons and a height of 91 meters, significantly larger than the 43-meter LVM3.
- Fuel: NGLV will have semi-cryogenic propulsion (refined kerosene as fuel with liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidiser) for the booster stages.
- Maximum payload capability: 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Currently, ISRO has achieved self-reliance in launching satellites through operational vehicles like PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV.
- LVM3 has a maximum payload capacity of 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
- NGLV will have 3 fold payload capacity compared to LVM3, while its cost will be only 1.5 times more.
Significance:
- NGLV will offer higher payload capacity and will have modular green propulsion systems.
- NGLV will allow for multiple reuses, reducing operational costs and increasing operational efficiency of the booster.
- NGLV's development will support both national and commercial missions, including:
- Deployment of communication and earth observation satellite constellations to LEO, benefiting India's entire space ecosystem.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Indian crewed lunar missions by 2040 and other interplanetary exploration.
Read More: ISRO’s Satellite Launch Vehicles