Launchers or Launch Vehicles

Launchers or Launch Vehicles

·        Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has three active operational launch vehicles:

o   Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV),

o   Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV),

o   Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (LVM3).

·        PSLV is configured with four variants like 6,4,2 solid rocket strap-on motors& core alone versions. Variants will be chosen based on the payload weights & orbit to be accomplished. PSLV has been a versatile launch vehicle deployed for launching all the three types of payloads viz. Earth Observation, Geo-stationary and Navigation. It has got highest success rate and considered as work horse of ISRO.

GSLV

·   GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled the launching up to 2 tonne class of communication satellites.

LVM3:

·     The LVM3 is the next generation launch vehicle capable of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites and 10 tonne class of payloads to LEOs. The vehicle was developed with completely indigenized technologies including the C25 cryo stage. The launch vehicle has a track record of all successful launches even from the first development flight.

HRLV

·    The Human rated LVM3 is identified as the launch vehicle for Gaganyaan mission, which is named as HRLV.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

·       The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is being developed with complete indigenous technologies to meet the small satellite lunch market on demand driven basis

Launching Stations and ISRO centres

ISRO's Launch Vehicle Programme spans numerous centres.

·        Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of launch vehicles.

·        Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and ISRO Propulsion Complex, located at Valiamala and Mahendragiri respectively, develop the liquid and cryogenic stages for these launch vehicles.

·        SatishDhawan Space Centre, SHAR, in Sriharikotais the space port of India and is responsible for integration of launchers. It houses two operational launch for launching ISRO's launch vehicles.

·        National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad

·        Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad