Space PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which has been mandated by the DoS to acquire and operate LVM-3 in the future, is now actively exploring multiple models to engage industry with the aim of increasing the production rate of the launch vehicle to at least five to six annually.
The move is in line with the Indian Government’s vision of enhancing private participation in the space sector and comes close to the move of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) issuing an expression of interest to transfer the technology of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
LVM-3 is India’s heaviest rocket yet.
It is configured as a three stage vehicle with two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110) and a high-thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25).
While the C25 Cryogenic upper stage is configured with the fully indigenous high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20), the liquid L110 stage uses a twin-liquid engine configuration.
Also, the S200 solid motor is among the largest solid boosters in the world with 204 tonnes of solid propellant.
NSIL CMD Radhakrishnan D told TOI: “Market analysis shows that there will be good demand for the LVM-3 class of rockets.
At present, we are looking at whether the model should be a contract model similar to PSLV, use a different risk-sharing model or go the PPP [public-private partnership] way.”
