Next Gen Launch Vehicle of ISRO (SSLV, LVM3, HLV, RLV & GSLV)

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Launch vehicle of ISRO

India has made tremendous strides in launch vehicle technology to achieve self-reliance in satellite launch vehicle programs with the operationalism of polar satellite launch vehicles and geosynchronous satellite launch vehicles. The Indian Space Research Organisation‘s expendable pslv has enjoyed a steady and successful business run with medium-lift launches for nearly two decades. ISRO’s currently operational launch vehicles, the PSLV, GSLV Mk II, and GSLV Mk III, are based on modular expendable architecture, where none of the modules that are boosters in the other three or four stages can be reused. Attempts to reduce the cost of satellites and launch vehicles and allow them to carry heavier payloads are being explored through the use of miniaturised avionics, advanced electronics, and electronic propulsion systems, among other mechanisms. As of now, India is quite competitive with regard to the prevailing global launch cost. So far, India has launched 209 satellites of nano, micro, mini, and standard size for 28 countries. ISRO’s low prices and its high success rate have attracted foreign clients. While a satellite launch on Ariane Space Rocket costs about more than 100 million dollars after subsidies, and SpaceX will charge 60 million dollars. In contrast, ISRO charged an average of three million dollars per satellite between 2013 and 2015. There is a global move to reduce the cost of access to space to the tune of one tenth of the prevailing one. India is also working towards that too. The Indian Space Research Organisation is fully prepared to compete in the global race to cut the cost of launching satellites. For this, India is developing a new generation rocket that would cut satellite launch costs by half, boosting low-cost access to space. Over the years, ISRO realised the need for fifth-generation launch vehicles (SLV-3, RSLV, PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk III) to cater to national development needs. This has enabled ISRO to develop and master critical technologies related to solid liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems in addition to navigation guidance control and mission design aspects of launch vehicles.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

Developing a small satellite launch vehicle of ISRO, is an all-solid three-stage vehicle, to meet the growing global demand for small satellite launch services. This vehicle will significantly lower costs and achieve a higher launch rate compared to polar satellite launch vehicles. A small satellite launch vehicle of ISRO is a three-stage all-solid vehicle and has the capability to launch up to 500 kilograms of satellite mass into 500 kilometres of low earth orbit (LEO) and 300 kilograms into sun synchronous orbit (SSO). The biggest advantage of IRO is that now it can manufacture these vehicles in a turnaround time of just three weeks. Apart from the capability to launch up to 500 kilograms of satellite mass, the SSLV will have the option of multiple satellite mounting options for nano, micro, and small satellites. The vehicle would help in reduced turnaround time launch on demand cost optimisation for realisation and operation flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites minimum launch infrastructure requirements heritage of proven design practices.

Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV)

ULV, the next generation ULV, is ISRO’s effort at unifying their launch vehicles with the ULV; they plan to have a single vehicle with many different stages from which a few can be chosen to form a vehicle based on the requirements of the payload. This way they will be able to cover the full spectrum of payload requirements with a single vehicle, which can be put together as required. It will reduce manufacturing and various other costs of launch, along with making the vehicle more powerful for heavier lifting than current vehicles are. ULV will be a series of three to four expendable launch types and will feature a common liquid semi-cryogenic core as the first stage with variable fuel loading capabilities for all of its variants. The second stage will be equipped with a cryogenic stage, which will be highly configurable, thus having the ability to satisfy various payload requirements of customers. The vehicle will mate solid propellant straps on boosters of different variations for the boost phase. Various of these boosters are used in PSLV, GSLV Mk II, and GSLV Mk III. Hence, by adjusting the fuel and power levels of the stages and boosters, a single launch vehicle of ISRO can be used to launch various payload masses, thus eliminating the requirement to have multiple launch vehicles. This is the sole aim of the ULV project. The smallest variant of the ULV uses six S-13 boosters and has a launch mass of 274 tons. The payload capacity is 1.5 tonnes for geosynchronous transfer orbit and 4.5 tonnes for low-earth orbit. The second variant uses two S-60 boosters and has a launch mass of 340 tonnes. the payload of which is three tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit or 10 tonnes to low earth orbit. The third variant uses a Two S-138 booster and has a launch mass of 560 tons. The payload is 4.5 tonnes to GTO and 12 tonnes to low earth orbit. The most powerful variant is to use the S200 booster of the GSLV Mk III, which has a launch mass of 700 tonnes. The payload is 6 tonnes to GTO and 15 tonnes to low-earth orbit.

Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV)

HLV, the Indian Space Research Organisation, is developing a series of heavy lift launch vehicles capable of lifting satellites up to 10 tonnes into orbit. To keep development costs under control, IRO has adopted a modular approach to the design of the HLV. a heavy lift variant of the unified launcher capable of placing up to nine tonnes of spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit, which would include:

A larger dual S-250 solid strap on boosters as compared to the S-200 boosters used in LVM3,
A semi-cryogenic core stage similar to LVM3 with SCE-200 engine,
A semi-cryogenic third stage with a new CE-50 engine, and
A new fourth stage with cryogenic C10 engine

ISRO is toying with the idea of adding a semi-cryogenic stage to the GSLV Mk III to generate a lift up to six tons. A m more powerful cryo upper stage is expected to add the required muscle to handle satellites up to 10 tonnes.

Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)

Reusable launch vehicle of ISRO, is one of the most technologically challenging endeavours towards developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space. With the RLVTD launch, ISRO took a step towards several cutting-edge projects: wing body flight, scramjet propulsion, re-entry of wind craft, etc., a commendable effort by ISRO. Right now, RLV is in such a nascent phase that one cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the project. One cannot say it is good to embark on such ambitious missions or not. The RLV project is good for the following reasons:

It can give ISRO the ability to launch and land back wing body crafts which can be used for humans or cargo,
They can be proven economical depending on the level of reusability

Scramjet propulsion, if tested and flown successfully, can give rise to immense possibilities, including fully reusable two-stage orbit. Reusability, re-entry, and hypersonic experiments on this craft can prove useful for many types of future missions. The scenario of reusable missions has changed over the last decade. When RLV was conceptualised, the shuttle was still flying and SpaceX wasn’t born. Shuttle has been decommissioned on account of costly refurbishing, and Falcon 9 is celebrating its first stage landing, paving the way to fully reusable rockets. RLV and ISRO have a greater challenge at hand: if they are going to pursue this project for reusability and to bring down launch costs, then they have to do something different to not repeat shuttle.

Conclusion

The launch vehicle of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) have transformed India’s space exploration capabilities, marking significant milestones in both scientific achievements and technological innovations. ISRO’s journey began with the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), paving the way for more advanced systems like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). In conclusion, launch vehicle of ISRO has played a crucial role in the nation’s growing influence in space exploration, demonstrating technological expertise, cost-efficiency, and an increasing capacity for diverse and ambitious missions. These achievements highlight ISRO’s potential to continue advancing space science and strengthening its presence on the global stage.

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