Next Generation Launch Vehicle
Function | Medium to Heavy-lift launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | ISRO |
Country of origin | India |
Size | |
Height | 92 m (302 ft) |
Width | 5 m (16 ft) |
Mass | 600 t (590 long tons; 660 short tons) to 1,094 t (1,077 long tons; 1,206 short tons) |
Stages | 3 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | |
Mass | 17,000 to 48,000 kg (37,000 to 106,000 lb)[citation needed] |
Payload to GTO | |
Mass | 8,500 to 24,000 kg (18,700 to 52,900 lb)[citation needed] |
Payload to TLI | |
Mass | 7,000 to 22,500 kg (15,400 to 49,600 lb)[citation needed] |
Associated rockets | |
Comparable | |
Launch history | |
Status | Under Development |
Launch sites | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
Total launches | 0 |
The Next Generation Launch Vehicle or NGLV or "Soorya" (previously referred to as Unified Launch Vehicle or ULV) is a three-stage partially reusable rocket, currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This vehicle is designed to replace currently operational systems like PSLV, GSLV and LVM3.[1][2][3]
This family of three launchers was previously being designed for replacing the different core propulsion modules of PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 respectively with a common semi-cryogenic engine and hence it was named as Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV).[4] Unlike the latest proposal of the launcher, the initial proposals were planned to be expendable. But the new proposals under the name of Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) suggests launchers having partial reusability.[5]
According to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, the new rocket has a load capacity of between 20 and 1,215 tonnes.[6]
As of March 2024, the first NGLV launch is tentatively scheduled for 2034–2035.[7]
History
[edit]The launch system has been in development since 2010s and has gone through various design changes with time. As ISRO's SLVs were ageing, the need for a new generation of launchers with interchangeable modular parts was realised. There have been several design changes since the first proposal.
Initial proposals
[edit]More than a decade after starting the Cryogenic Upper Stage Project in 1994,[8] ISRO began developing a new semi-cryogenic engine that would be used on its next generation of vehicles of Unified Launch Vehicle (now NGLV), Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) and a heavy-lift launcher for future inter-planetary missions. On 22 December 2008, the government approved the development of semi-cryogenic engine technology at an estimated cost of ₹1,798 crore (US$215 million), with a foreign exchange component of ₹588 crore (US$70 million), for the completion of the project by 2014, the engine was then named SCE-200.[9]
In May 2013, the configurations of the launchers were revealed for the first time. They had a common core and upper stage, with four different booster sizes.[10] The core, known as the SC160 (Semi-Cryogenic stage with 160 tonnes of propellant, in the ISRO nomenclature), would have 160,000 kg (350,000 lb) of Kerosene / LOX propellant and be powered by a single SCE-200 engine. The upper stage, known as the C30 (Cryogenic stage with 30 tonnes of propellant) would have 30,000 kg (66,000 lb) of LH2 / LOX propellant and be powered by a single CE-20 engine.[11][12]
The four booster options were:
- 6 × S-13, slightly larger than the S-12 on PSLV, to burn longer;
- 2 × S-60, which appears to be a new solid motor development;
- 2 × S-139, which is the first stage of PSLV and GSLV Mk I/II;
- 2 × S-200, like on the LVM3.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Unified_Launch_Vehicle_family.svg/600px-Unified_Launch_Vehicle_family.svg.png)
Heavy-lift variant
[edit]A potential heavy-lift variant (HLV) of the ULV, in theory was capable of placing up to 10 ton class of spacecraft into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. It was planned to include:[13]
- A larger dual S-250 solid strap-on boosters as compared to the S-200 boosters used in LVM3;
- A L-400 semi-cryogenic core stage, with 400 tonnes of propellant, using a cluster of five SCE-200 engines;
- A L-27 cryogenic third stage, with 27 tonnes of propellant, using CE-20 engine.
Super-heavy-lift variant
[edit]A super-heavy-lift variant, was also among the proposals. With multiple SCE-200 engines and side boosters, this variant would have been the most powerful rocket that ISRO had ever developed.[12]
Latest modifications and partial reusability
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Power_Head_Test_Article_%28PHTA%29_for_SCE-200.jpg/220px-Power_Head_Test_Article_%28PHTA%29_for_SCE-200.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/SCE-200_Power_Head_Test_Article_%28PHTA%29_going_through_its_first_hot_test_at_ISRO_Propulsion_Complex_%28IPRC%29%2C_Mahendragiri%2C_Tamil_Nadu_04.webp/220px-SCE-200_Power_Head_Test_Article_%28PHTA%29_going_through_its_first_hot_test_at_ISRO_Propulsion_Complex_%28IPRC%29%2C_Mahendragiri%2C_Tamil_Nadu_04.webp.png)
The development of the SCE-200 engine was completed in 2017 and the tests were contracted to a Ukrainian manufacturer Yuzhmash. In September 2021, in a virtual event being conducted by ISRO, the presentation mentioned a fleet configuration of a family of five rockets capable of lifting from 4.9 tonnes to 16 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The presentation mentioned the ongoing development of a new semi-cryogenic stage namely SC120 and an upgraded cryogenic stage namely C32. The configurations displayed more powerful engine stages; SC-400 semi-cryogenic stage, C27 cryogenic stage, and S-250 solid rocket boosters.[14]
In June 2023, ISRO revealed that the team working on the NGLV programme had already submitted a preliminary report on the rocket's details, manufacturing process, and approach toward development. The rocket is planned to be partially reusable along with its boosters. The development was expected to take another five to ten years.[15]
Following several months of preliminary planning and design and architectural refinement, ISRO has established a project team to begin construction of the NGLV. The third launch pad at Sriharikota will be required because the NGLV project, internally named "SOORYA," will differ from the current class of rockets in configuration. This was confirmed by ISRO chairman S. Somanath in an exclusive interview with The Times of India. Project Director S Sivakumar will oversee the NGLV project. He is currently the program director (space transportation systems) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The development of NGLV will involve teams with backgrounds in LVM-3, GSLV, PSLV, and SSLV.[16]
Renaming
[edit]S.Somanath, speaking to NDTV on 29 June 2024, unveiled a proposal to officially rename the NGLV as "Soorya". It will be used to help complete the Indian Space Station by 2035 and send an Indian to the moon by 2040.[17]
Design
[edit]NGLV will feature a simple, robust design that allows bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems, and stages, and minimal turnaround time.[18]
The NGLV might turn out to be a three-stage rocket powered by green fuel combinations, like Kerosene and liquid oxygen or methane and liquid oxygen for the SCE-200 engine, which follows oxidizer-rich closed combustion engine cycle. The first launch of the rocket is tentatively scheduled for 2034–2035.[7]
Propulsion technology
[edit]With the aim of sending humans to the moon by 2040, ISRO has begun working on future technology development initiatives. It is expected that thirty tons of payload will be transported using rockets. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 4, 2024, by the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) and the Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) to jointly develop propulsion technology capable of lifting up to 30 tonnes and conveniently transporting bigger payloads to space and the moon. Eighteen to twenty-four months is the maximum time allotted for technology development.[19][20]
The launch vehicle's engine will use methane and liquid oxygen for propulsion. For engine development, RRCAT will make use of Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM). According to Dr. V Narayanan, the director of LPSC, Soorya will require a minimum of 25 rocket engines; therefore, the current annual capacity of producing 2-3 engines will be upgraded. The physical construction of the engine will take eight years. Initially, the engine will be utilized to send cargo into orbit. Once the engine passes human-rating certification, Indian astronauts would be able to travel to the moon.[19][20]
Potential uses
[edit]As per a presentation done by S. Somanath at a conference in October 2022, the NGLV might offer launch costs of approximately $1900 per kg of payload in the reusable form and nearly $3000 per kg in the expendable format. The vehicle will also help in meeting India's need of setting up its space station by 2035. Other potential use cases will be in the areas of launching communication satellites, deep space missions, future human spaceflight, and cargo missions.[21][22]
See also
[edit]- RLV Technology Demonstration Programme
- Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
- Long March (rocket family)
- Proton (rocket family)
References
[edit]- ^ "ISRO's Next-Gen Launch Vehicle may assume PSLV's role". The Hindu. 13 October 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ "ISRO developing new rocket to replace PSLV". The New Indian Express. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ Bagla, Pallava; Sharma, Divyam (29 June 2024). "Mega Rocket 'Soorya' In the Making, Will Take Indians To Moon: ISRO Chief To NDTV". NDTV. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Srs (2 January 2013). "Antariksh: ISRO Unified Launch vehicle". Antariksh. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ Livemint (30 October 2022). "ISRO eyes reusable rocket to carry heavier payloads into the orbit. Read here". mint. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "ISRO to launch India's first space station by 2028, says chief S Somnath". Moneycontrol. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ a b Kumar, Chethan (14 March 2024). "SOORYA: Project team for rocket to build space station ready; 3rd launch pad at Sriharikota to come up". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "How ISRO developed the indigenous cryogenic engine". The Economic Times.
- ^ "India to build semi-cryogenic engine for future missions | Brahmand News". www.brahmand.com. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "ISRO Unified Launch Vehicle Update". Antariksh Space. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ Brügge, Norbert. "ULV (LMV3-SC)". B14643.de. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ a b "LVM3, ULV, HLV & SHLV, Versions". www.b14643.de. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ ""Indigenous Development of Materials for Space Programme" By Dr A. S. Kiran Kumar Presentation Slides". Indian Institute Of Science iisc.ernet.in. 21 August 2015.
- ^ Siddarth MP (14 September 2021). "ISRO's new series of heavy-lift rockets to carry between 5-16 tonnes to GTO". WION. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ "ISRO readies plan for next generation launch vehicle". The Hindu. 8 June 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "SOORYA: Project team for rocket to build space station ready; 3rd launch pad at Sriharikota to come up". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Mega Rocket 'Soorya' In the Making, Will Take Indians To Moon: ISRO Chief To NDTV". NDTV.com. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "ISRO eyes next-generation launch vehicle for heavier payloads". cnbctv18.com. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ a b Kumawat, Muskan (4 September 2024). "India will be able to send 30 thousand kg of weight to space, agreement between ISRO and RRCAT". Sangri Today. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Raja Ramanna Advanced Technology Centre & ISRO's Liquid Propulsion System Centre Signed MoU; Rocket tech To Materialise In 2 Years". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Sarkar, Snehadri (31 October 2022). "ISRO Setting Up Next-Generation Launch Vehicle For Heavier Payloads By 2030: Here's All You Need To Know About It". thelogicalindian.com. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Khan, Hadi (2 November 2022). "ISRO Is Building A Next-Generation Launch Vehicle For Heavier Payloads, Which Will Launch By 2030". Mashable India. Retrieved 3 August 2023.