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), ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has said.
Key points
- The PSLV, often dubbed the ‘trusted workhorse’ of ISRO, ‘‘will have to retire’‘ one day, Mr. Somanath said during the three-day Engineers Conclave 2022 which opened at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiyamala in Thiruvananthapuram.
- 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.
- 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.
(Source: The Hindu)
