ISRO’s Heaviest Rocket Successfully Places 36 Satellites in Orbit

ISRO’s Heaviest Rocket Successfully Places 36 Satellites in Orbit

The ISRO’s heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (GSLV Mark III or LVM3 rocket) has successfully placed 36 satellites of U.K.-based One Web in designated low Earth orbit. It was launched under LVM3-M2 / OneWeb India-1 Mission.

LVM3-M2 is the dedicated commercial satellite mission launched by the New Space India Limited (NSIL). NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space.

Significance of this Development

It strengthens ISRO’s claim as a serious player in the heavy satellite launch market.

The LVM3 rocket carried almost 6 tonnes of payload into lower-earth orbit which was the heaviest payload that any ISRO mission has delivered into space so far. Only few countries have the capability to launch satellites weighing more than 2 tonnes.

Re-validated the viability of the LVM3 rocket: It reaffirm the viability of the LVM3 rocket for much awaited missions like Gaganyaan (manned mission), Moon landings and deep space explorations in the near future.

It is a big step towards being self-reliant in launch of heavy satellite. Previously, ISRO used to take the services of Ariane rockets of Europe to launch its heavy satellites.

Entry into commercial space market: The achievement is likely to boost India’s efforts to increase its market share in space sector. Currently, India accounts only for 2 per cent of the market of space sector despite being one of the foremost space-faring countries.

About GSLV MK III

It is now called as Launch Vehicle Mark 3/LVM3. GSLV MK III is a three stage vehicle with two solid strap-on motors, one liquid core stage and a high thrust cryogenic upper stage.

Characteristics of GSLV MK III:

Performance capability: 4.3 ton to GTO. In future, the payload capability of GSLV MKIII will be increased upto 6 tons to GTO.

Payload capability: 10 ton to low Earth orbit (LEO) missions.

It is Cost effective with improved reliability, operability and redundancy management.

It provides future growth potential of payload with minimal design changes.

It will support manned missions (like Gaganyaan mission), Lunar Mission and other deep space exploration missions.

About ISRO’s Launch Vehicles

ISRO currently has three operational launch vehicles:

1. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or PSLV; The PSLV has been the most commonly used, having carried as many as 53 successful missions since 1993. Only two flights of PSLV have failed.

2. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV Mk-II; GSLV Mk-II has been used in 14 missions, of which four have failed.

3. Launch Vehicle Mark-3 or LVM3 – The LVM3 has flown five times, including the Chandrayaan 2 mission, and has never failed.

Additionally, ISRO has been working on a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). Unlike other rockets, the RLV would not end up in space debris. It can be brought back and refurbished for use multiple times. It will help reduce costs of future space programs.

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Heaviest rocket of ISRO: Relevant FAQs

Q. What is India’s share in commercial space sector market?

Ans. India accounts only for 2 per cent of the market of space sector.

Q. Which is the heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle of ISRO?

Ans. The ISRO’s heaviest rocket Launch Vehicle is GSLV Mark III or LVM3 rocket.