ISRO’s Next generation launcher GSLV MkIII (LVM3): Configuration and Development Status
- Paper number
IAC-07-D2.2.03
- Author
Mr. S. Ramakrishnan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC, India
- Coauthor
Mr. S. Somanath, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), VSSC, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Having established itself as an operational space service provider to the nation through Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has embarked on an ambitious programme to develop its more capable next generation launch vehicle named GSLV MkIII (LVM3). This new launcher development project which formally commenced in October 2002 has made considerable progress over the past four years in the areas of vehicle design and engineering, major hardware realization, subsystems development testing as well as production infrastructure/ facilities commissioning. GSLV MkIII (LVM3) has been sized to have a capability to deliver 4 ton plus payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), at a more affordable cost per kilogramme made possible by virtue of its size advantage, simplicity and fewer number of systems. This new vehicle design draws heavily from the technologies and experience of earlier launchers PSLV and GSLV. The three stage vehicle comprises of two numbers of 200 ton solid strapon booster (S200) virtually functioning as the first stage, an earth storable Liquid propellant core stage of 110 ton loading (L110) with twin VIKAS engines and Cryogenic upper stage (C25) of 25 ton LOX/LH2 loading. The C25 stage is a new propulsion module being realized for LVM3 programme which involves a major effort to design and develop a 200 kN thrust, gas generator cycle based LOX/LH2 engine. The vehicle Avionics and Control Systems are of new generation with advanced redundancy management concepts to improve the reliability of the launcher. The composite payload fairings of 5 m diameter and 5 m cylindrical height provide for about 110 cubic meter of payload volume. For development and qualification of LVM3 systems, infrastructure facilities are established at various ISRO Centres as well as industries. The S200 Solid Propellant Plant at Sathish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikotta and Light Alloy structures and tankage production facilities are significant among them. The Second Launch Pad (SLP) already commissioned at SDSC has been configured to accommodate the LVM3 assembly and launch operations. This paper describes the scope and objective of GSLV MkIII development programme, the LVM3 Vehicle configuration, its subsystems and the mission capabilities of this new Indian launcher. The overall development plan and the current status of progress made with respect to various subsystems are outlined.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D2.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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