HLV Launch Vehicle - General Discussion

• #20 by johnxx9 on 04 Jan, 2016 13:50
• ISRO unveils 10-tonne satellite plan at Indian Science Congress
  
  

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  Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has plans to build its heaviest rocket that can carry satellites weighing 10 communication tonnes into space.
  
  The space agency's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MkII) currently has the capability to carry satellites weighing in at just two tonnes.
  
   India's heaviest rocket would be powered by a semi-cryogenic engine - that runs on kerosene and liquid oxygen, which the space agency is currently developing.
  
   Semi-cryogenic engines are environment friendly and bring down the cost of launches significantly. The design process for the semi-cryogenic engine is completed and is being built by Godrej Aerospace, which also makes the Vikas engines for Isro's rockets.
  
   "Once we have this engine, we will have different levels of launch vehicles possible. Currently the GSLV MK 3 uses the CE20 engine and once we put the semi cryogenic engine in such a combination, we will have a much bigger rating, which will have a payload capability of 10 ton," said S. Somanath, project director of the GSLV Mk III at Isro. He did not set a time frame for the rocket development.
  
   Last year, Isro tested a demonstrator of its heavier class of rocket, the GSLV Mk III, designed to hurl 4 tonne class communication satellites into space. The CE20 engine which the rocket uses is an indigenously developed cryogenic engine. A full fledged rocket with a communication satellite will be launched in 2017.
  
  "One of the launch vehicle...will look like the GSLV Mk 3 but it will be much taller, almost 65 metres, weighing almost 732.6 tons at liftoff and it is capable of putting a 10 ton space plant in communication orbit," said Somanath.
  
  Isro currently sends its 4 tonne communication satellites used for satellite broadcasting on Arianespace rockets of the European Space Agency.
  
  Somanath said that Isro would work on a modular vehicle approach, using the same platform to extend the power of its rockets than build separate rockets.
  
  "..we thought that we will go in a modular way. It will be possible for nearly 6 ton payload capability and if required we will be able to change to our full 10 tonne launch vehicle with little bit of addition," he said.
  
  Meanwhile, Isro will launch its fifth of the seventh regional navigation satellite on January 20. The satellite will be part of India's constellation of geo-positioning satellites that would help in disaster management, mapping and navigation, said Isro director M Annadurai.
  
• #21 by johnxx9 on 04 Jan, 2016 14:00
• So, the LV will be 65metres tall. The earlier figure discussed here was 55m. I would love to see the commonality between this and the ULV.
  
  As far as I see this there are 2 prospective families (with a lot in common)
  
  ULV - payload capacity of PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 ie upto 4 tons to GTO
  HLV - 6 tons and 10 tons to GTO
  
  They might as well be the same for all we know. But 10 tons of GTP payload and ISRO's insistance on solid boosters for this, will result in the requirement of higher propellant loading in semi cryo stage and the use of CE60 on the upper stage which will result in a different vehicle from the baseline ULV specs.
  
  
• #22 by vineethgk on 12 Feb, 2018 02:04
• ISRO chief on prospective HLV designs after the advent of Falcon Heavy
  
  Bottom line: They have designs based on clustered Kerolox engines (SCE-200) in the drawing board. But its a long way off. Current emphasis is on realizing SCE-200 engine and the subsequent development of single engine SC200 stage to enhance the capability of GSLV MkIII.
• #23 by kanaka on 12 Feb, 2018 02:58
• Quote from: vineethgk on 12 Feb, 2018 02:04

  ISRO chief on prospective HLV designs after the advent of Falcon Heavy
  
  Bottom line: They have designs based on clustered Kerolox engines (SCE-200) in the drawing board. But its a long way off. Current emphasis is on realizing SCE-200 engine and the subsequent development of single engine SC200 stage to enhance the capability of GSLV MkIII.
  

  
  One at a time. Application of advanced technologies to real problem of man  and society,  the priority already defined.
• #24 by K210 on 13 Feb, 2018 06:42
• If isro plans to undertake manned spaceflight in the long term then they should definitely be looking at a super heavy launcher. China, Russia and the US are all working on their own super heavy launchers which will be ready in 2025-2030 timeframe. ISRO will need a super heavy launcher if they want to play any meaningful role in lunar/mars exploration. 
  
• #25 by sanman on 13 Feb, 2018 08:53
• They should go for reusability first, so that even a heavy launcher wouldn't have to be thrown away.
• #26 by vyoma on 23 Jul, 2022 19:55
• ISRO HLV (Heavy-lift Launch Vehicle) configuration studies [Aug 11, 2021].

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