LVM3/GSLV Mark III News, Discussions, Updates and Reports

[Abdus Salem killed]

They have postponed Chandrayaan-3 in favour of OneWeb launch. Haven't they?

Money comes first'always we need money and tech

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Money comes first'always we need money and tech

Yes well.
It wouldn't have been usual for ISRO to postpone things like Cdy-3 for a commercial launch but a $240 million deal with 70% profit is whopping for ISRO's $2 billion budget.

They can plan an entire interplanetary mission alone on that profit.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO aims to increase weightlifting capacity of LVM-3 ahead of launch
On Friday, the space agency successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 engine in the high-altitude test facility at Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri for 25 seconds to prepare for the second part of this mission

The space agency is expected to complete the qualifying tests for the semi-cryogenic stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 rocket in a couple of months.

New Delhi: After the successful launch of its first commercial mission carrying 36 communication satellites of a private firm, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is working to add to the weightlifting capacity of its heaviest rocket — Launch Vehicle Mark-3 — for its second launch scheduled early next year, officials of the science ministry said on Tuesday.

The space agency is expected to complete the qualifying tests for the semi-cryogenic stage of the LVM-3 rocket in a couple of months, they said.

“We are hopeful that by February or March next year, we will be able to launch the second batch of 36 satellites of OneWeb. All preparations for it are being done,” a ministry official said, seeking anonymity.

At 12.07am on October 23, Isro successfully launched 36 communication satellites of OneWeb from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking its entry into the global commercial launch service market.

Also read: ISRO to develop reusable rockets, aims to set up space station by 2035: Report

OneWeb is a private satellite communications company, which has India’s Bharti Enterprises as a major investor. NewSpace India, a state-owned enterprise under the department of space, had earlier signed two launch service contracts with the London-headquartered Network Access Associated Limited that runs OneWeb to launch a total of 72 low earth orbit satellites on board the LVM3 rocket.

On Friday, the space agency successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 engine in the high-altitude test facility at Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri for 25 seconds to prepare for the second part of this mission.

Isro has redesignated the launch vehicle as LVM-3 from GSLV Mk-III, which is India’s heaviest launch vehicle. LVM-3 can carry up to four tonnes to a geostationary orbit and up to six tonnes to a low earth orbit.

Also read: 'When India was denied space tech…': PM on ISRO feat, increasing self-reliance

“Induction of a high-propulsive SC120, along with an increased propellant loading of cryogenic upper stage, can increase this to up to six tonnes for GTO and 10 tonnes for LEO,” an Isro scientist said, asking not to be named.

Work on the semi cryo engine is on the last leg and qualification tests are in progress, scientists said. Stage and engine development stage is complete, the test stand is getting ready and the subsystem tests are going on at the testing facility at the Mahendragiri Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

ISRO aims to increase weightlifting capacity of LVM-3 ahead of launch
On Friday, the space agency successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 engine in the high-altitude test facility at Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri for 25 seconds to prepare for the second part of this mission

The space agency is expected to complete the qualifying tests for the semi-cryogenic stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 rocket in a couple of months.

Also read: ISRO to develop reusable rockets, aims to set up space station by 2035: Report

Also read: 'When India was denied space tech…': PM on ISRO feat, increasing self-reliance

Points to be noted:

• LVM3 M3 delayed to February/March next year instead of January m/February.
• HT audience might subconsciously mistaken that SC120 will replace L110 in LVM3 M3 mission which it won't. We might see a SCE-200 based LVM3 launch in 2023 though.

 

[TopWatcher]

Yes well.
It wouldn't have been usual for ISRO to postpone things like Cdy-3 for a commercial launch but a $240 million deal with 70% profit is whopping for ISRO's $2 billion budget.

They can plan an entire interplanetary mission alone on that profit.

Wow 70% profit.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Wow 70% profit.

Roughly, 50~75% per my calculations.

Assuming that cost of launch of LVM3 didn't exceed ₹500-550 crores. Given that they got $240 millions for the deal, their profit still would exceed 50% for both deals, enough funds for a separate new space exploration mission.

 

[karn]

Points to be noted:

• LVM3 M3 delayed to February/March next year instead of January m/February.
• HT audience might subconsciously mistaken that SC120 will replace L110 in LVM3 M3 mission which it won't. We might see a SCE-200 based LVM3 launch in 2023 though.

How tho ? We have not seen a single hot test for the sce ..

 

[Indx TechStyle]

How tho ? We have not seen a single hot test for the sce ..

Yes, that's why I said HT is mistaken.
Hot tests will finish at sometime first quarter of 2023 so that launch can take place at end of 2023 or might even be more delayed to 2024 as engine integration in LVM3 might take time.

Gaganyaan will use Vikas engines and not SCE-200.

 

[TopWatcher]

Yes, that's why I said HT is mistaken.
Hot tests will finish at sometime first quarter of 2023 so that launch can take place at end of 2023 or might even be more delayed to 2024 as engine integration in LVM3 might take time.

Gaganyaan will use Vikas engines and not SCE-200.

You means to say in future SCE-200 will replace Vikas engine ?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

You means to say in future SCE-200 will replace Vikas engine ?

Yes, it will replace Vikas in LVM3 rocket at least.

L110 (main) stage of LVM3 has two Vikas engines. It will be replaced by SC120 with one SCE-200 which alone will produce more thrust than two Vikas.

They also wish to retire to GSLV and PSLV and will make a single 4-5 tonne Semi cryo based LEO class rockets for polar satellite roles.

 

[karn]

Yes, that's why I said HT is mistaken.
Hot tests will finish at sometime first quarter of 2023 so that launch can take place at end of 2023 or might even be more delayed to 2024 as engine integration in LVM3 might take time.

Gaganyaan will use Vikas engines and not SCE-200.

Yep .. Although it will probably take a few years of testing. Considering how engine development usually goes.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Yep .. Although it will probably take a few years of testing. Considering how engine development usually goes.

May be but engine has already been under development for so many years, delays on delays and they finally have reached the stage of qualification tests.

Though, another 1~2 years delay will not surprising.

 

[Vamsi]

Points to be noted:

• LVM3 M3 delayed to February/March next year instead of January m/February.
• HT audience might subconsciously mistaken that SC120 will replace L110 in LVM3 M3 mission which it won't. We might see a SCE-200 based LVM3 launch in 2023 though.

Naah, LVM3-SC version will launch NET 2025

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Points to be noted:

• LVM3 M3 delayed to February/March next year instead of January m/February.
• HT audience might subconsciously mistaken that SC120 will replace L110 in LVM3 M3 mission which it won't. We might see a SCE-200 based LVM3 launch in 2023 though.

You means to say in future SCE-200 will replace Vikas engine ?

Yes, it will replace Vikas in LVM3 rocket at least.

L110 (main) stage of LVM3 has two Vikas engines. It will be replaced by SC120 with one SCE-200 which alone will produce more thrust than two Vikas.

They also wish to retire to GSLV and PSLV and will make a single 4-5 tonne Semi cryo based LEO class rockets for polar satellite roles.

For all members visiting ways to calculate launch capacities.

Vikas engine ~ 850 kN thrust
SCE-200 ~ 2000 kN thrust (1820 kN at sea level)

• PSLV-XL uses 6 x liquid fuels boosters with combined thrust of 703.5 kN to liftoff. The core has a massive S139 solid rocket motor with an 4800 kN thrust to excel. Then, 1 Vikas engine for third stage and other two stages with thrusts according to sat requirement.
• GSLV Mk II uses 4 L40 boosted of total thrust 3000 kN plus to liftoff and S139 has first post boost stage, second stage with Vikas engine (burn time variable per requirement) and third CUS-12/15 with CE-7.5 of 75kN at cryogenic temptaures (burn time varies per requirement).
• LVM3 uses S200 boosters of 5150 kN thrust to liftoff and clusters two Vikas engines instead of one for main stage (and third stage as CE20 cryogenic engine).
• LVM3SC will just replace two Vikas with one SCE200 as core engine for boosted capacity.
• NGLV might cluster SCE200 rockets with bigger motors than S200 or larger number of same.
• SHLV might use so many clustered SCE200 at core and big boosters like Vikas engines (which are used at core of GSLV/LVM3)

Basically for a new Indian space enthusiast as a layman;

1. GSLV had 1 Vikas at core.
2. GSLV Mk III has 2 Vikas core.
3. Upgraded GSLV Mk III will have 1 SCE200 at core.
4. Indian HLV (NGLV) and SHLV will have 2 or more SCE200 at core.
5. LM20 methane engine being developed as a methane alternative.

All these boosters and upper stages are planned according to mass of rocket (to make it liftoff) and target orbit of satellite (GTO/SSO/TLI) etc.. Hope that helps. @TopWatcher

 

[HariPrasad-1]

Roughly, 50~75% per my calculations.

Assuming that cost of launch of LVM3 didn't exceed ₹500-550 crores. Given that they got $240 millions for the deal, their profit still would exceed 50% for both deals, enough funds for a separate new space exploration mission.

Actually, GSLV MK2 shold have carried this load. ISRO has the plan to double the payload of all its vehicle. Composite motors and semicryogenic engine usage in the this vehicles will allow the use of GSLV MK2 to use 5600 KM in LEO. ISRO has cost leadership but still lacks in some critical technologies such as semi cryogenic engine and composite motors.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Actually, GSLV MK2 shold have carried this load. ISRO has the plan to double the payload of all its vehicle. Composite motors and semicryogenic engine usage in the this vehicles will allow the use of GSLV MK2 to use 5600 KM in LEO. ISRO has cost leadership but still lacks in some critical technologies such as semi cryogenic engine and composite motors.

Orchestrating multiple launches of small payload is costlier than single launch of heavy lift.

 

[Vamsi]

C32 stage dry weight : 7400Kg
SC120 dry weight: 11500Kg

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

@Indx TechStyle what is this about?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

@Indx TechStyle what is this about?

UAE has been investing in space technology for a while. May be a collab meet.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Human-rated launch vehicle 'practically' ready: HSFC director at IISc space conference

BENGALURU: The human-rated launch vehicle that will carry Indian astronauts to space and back as part of the human spaceflight mission — Gaganyaan — is "practically" ready and work on other key technologies is making progress.

Isro has been human-rating (making the systems reliable to carry humans) the GSLV-Mk3 or the LVM3 as the agency now calls it, for the Gaganyaan mission.

R Umamaheshwaran, director, Isro Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), said on Saturday: "Human-rated LVM3 is all complete. Launch vehicle is practically ready now."

Speaking at the one-day symposium on 'Space Biology and Biotechnology' organised by IISc, he said the rocket's successful use of the spent cryogenic upper stage (CUS), for the first time, to carry out manouvres has further added to the reliability of LVM3.

Aloke Kumar, associate professor at IISc and the chair of the conference said: "Indian science and technology community has been enthused by Gaganyaan, which necessitates a strong enmeshing of Indian academia with mission-oriented R&D and the global community and this first-of-its-kind conference will help bring experts and ideas together."

The one-day symposium brought in international, national, and industry experts to discuss challenges related to the topic.

It featured several talks by experts on problems related to human space flight and biological issues and challenges.

"We have the crew module technology. There's no technical work pending, only the physical time to manufacture all the systems is long. Fabrication work is going on. These are complex systems and we need to have reliability and quality that is one order better given that there are humans involved," Umamaheshwaran added.

He reiterated that a series of demonstration missions will be carried out beginning early next year. Among them would be the first few abort missions using the special test vehicle Isro has developed, as TOI has reported earlier.

"Overall we have four test vehicles that will demonstrate various abort systems. The complexity is to detect impending disasters. The entire crew module and CES (crew escape system) should act swiftly," said.

Stressing on the importance of the parachute systems, he said, they need to be demonstrated flawlessly before being used. To achieve this Isro is planning 15-16 IAD (integrated air-drop) tests using helicopters.