Context:
ISRO will launch its Chandrayaan 3 mission on July 14, 2023 onboard an LVM3.
About LVM-3
News Source: WION
- The Launch Vehicle Mark-III or LVM3, is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Previously known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark–III
- Developed by: Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO
- Payload capacity: LVM3 will be capable of placing
- 4 tonne class satellites of the GSAT series into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits.
- 8 tonne heavy payloads into Low Earth Orbits of 600 km altitude.
- First (or bottom most) Stage:
- It has two S200 boosters strapped to the sides of the rocket body.
- Fuel used: Solid fuel called hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene.
- Second Stage:
-
- It is powered by two Vikas engines
- Fuel used: liquid fuel – either nitrogen tetroxide or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine.
- Uppermost Final Stage:
-
- It is powered by a cryogenic engine.
- It combusts liquefied hydrogen with liquefied oxygen.
- Hydrogen has a very high specific impulse as rocket fuels go, but using it in an engine requires it to be liquefied first.
- Liquified hydrogen must be stored at very low temperature, and with special pumping and transport systems.
| PSLV. | GSLV | SSLV | |
| Launch Orbit | Polar orbit & GTO. | GEO & GSO. | LEO, sun synchronous orbit |
| Number of stages | 4. | 3 | 3 |
| Payload capacity | 1800kg | 2200-4000kg | 500 kg |
| Propulsion | Solid & liquid | Solid, liquid, cryogenic | Solid |
| Application | Earth resources monitoring | Launch of communication satellites | To launch Nano, Micro and Mini satellite |