Why in the News?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing its heaviest-ever rocket, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV).
About Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV):
- Overview: India’s heaviest rocket under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Purpose: Designed mainly for lunar exploration, including India’s first human mission to the Moon by 2040.
- Strategic Role: Replaces the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) plan and will support India’s space station programme.
- Scale: As tall as a 40-storey building, far larger than the current LVM-3.
Key Features:
- Payload Capacity: Can carry 80 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 27 tonnes to the Moon, suitable for human-rated spacecraft.
- Three-stage: Partially reusable super heavy-lift vehicle with:
- First two stages using liquid propellants.
- Third stage using cryogenic propellant.
- Strap-on boosters taller than the entire LVM-3 rocket.
- 27 engines in the first stage (core + boosters).
- Timeline: Expected completion by 2035.
- Indigenous Development: Conceived by ISRO within months; aligned with India’s long-term space exploration goals.
Future Missions based on LMLV:
- Human Lunar Mission (2040 target): Capable of carrying 18–20 tonne crew modules for India’s first astronaut landing on the Moon.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): Will deploy heavy modules for India’s planned five-module space station by 2035.
- Lunar Cargo Missions: Can transport ~27 tonnes to the Moon, supporting logistics and lunar infrastructure.
- Deep Space Exploration: Its heavy-lift capacity could enable interplanetary missions in the 2040s, extending beyond lunar exploration.
| [UPSC 2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:
1.PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2.Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3.GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only |
