ISRO to build 3rd launch pad, next-gen rockets poised for sea landings
- In Reports
- 07:48 PM, Oct 08, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is getting ready to construct a third launch pad at its spaceport in Sriharikota to support its expanding missions. The Indian space program will set a new standard following this development.
“We only have the second launch pad now. The first one was created for PSLV, but it can’t be used for GSLV as it cannot handle the cryogenic stage. When LVM-3 came, we re-engineered the second launch pad. Now, LVM-3 will also have a semi-cryo stage, and the human spaceflight initially has to happen there,” said ISRO chairman S Somanath in an interview with TOI.
Somanath noted that the second launch pad has undergone multiple upgrades over the previous 20 years and stated that if something were to happen to it, like an explosion, there wouldn't be a launch pad available for GSLV and all programs would come to a halt. ISRO chairman further said, “The primary objective of the third launch pad is to serve as a redundancy. Next is that we are moving to a new philosophy with the NGLV (New Generation Launch Vehicle); it is going to be integrated horizontally and tilted, not vertically.”
“The launch pad must support this aspect. NGLV will be more liquid engine booster-based than solid engine, so the entire launch pad jet deflector design will change. Also, the entire stage testing will happen here and not at Mahendragiri. The launch pad will cater to all of this,” he added.
Apart from acknowledging that current launch vehicles cannot meet future demands, S Sivakumar, project director, NGLV, claims that the need for the new rocket, a three-stage vehicle with a reusable first stage, comes after emerging technologies and the need to reduce launch costs. He said, “Current operational vehicles cannot meet future requirements because we are targeting a 20-tonne payload capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from LVM-3’s capacity of 9.2 tonnes. The target for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) is 9 tonnes compared to the current 4.3 tonnes.”
Somnath further said, “Both are possible, but both have penalties. For example, the vehicle already has a velocity to move away from land, and you have to kill all the velocity and bring it back to the launch site; you will need a lot of fuel, which means you’ll have lower payload capability.”
“Initially, you need to do that on land only because sea-based recovery is costly, and you won’t have such a platform available readily. Later, once you have confidence, you move to the sea and land it there. Both capabilities are there. When you do it at sea, you will get a higher payload,” added he.
Regarding the NGLV's reusability, Sivakumar stated that although it is possible to land vertically or horizontally, a horizontal landing or a vertical landing supported by the wing body must occur in the first stage. During his talk on transportation vehicles on October 6, he stated, "Otherwise, the structural mass will be enormous."
The National Space Commission approved the launch pad's construction at its 153rd meeting, one day before the Cabinet meeting on September 18. This meeting cleared four major space projects- Chandrayaan-4, NGLV, Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and the construction of India's first space station module. However, ISRO will present the launch pad to the government for final approval.
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