LVM3 - GSLV Mk3

Q: What is the full form of LVM3?

The full form of LVM3 is Launch Vehicle Mark-3, previously known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-3, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation for launching communication satellites into geostationary orbit and undertaking complex missions beyond Earth's orbit.

Q: What is the difference between LVM3 and GSLV?

LVM3 and GSLV are ISRO's satellite launch vehicles. LVM3 has greater payload capacity than GSLV Mk2, placing heavier satellites into geostationary orbits. LVM3 employs an indigenous cryogenic engine, while GSLV Mk2 relies on a Russian-sourced cryogenic stage. LVM3 is entirely indigenous.

Q: Why is LVM3 called the Indian Bahubali of ISRO?

The LVM3, nicknamed 'Bahubali' during its flight with Chandrayaan-2, is a powerful rocket with a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes. Capable of carrying up to 4,000 kilograms into GTO, it's used for launching satellites, including communication ones, and will serve in India's first crewed mission, Gaganyaan.

Table of Contents☰

The LVM3, previously known as GSLV Mark III is a three-stage medium to heavy lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It represents India’s most powerful and advanced launch vehicle built entirely with domestic technology.

Since its first flight in 2014, the LVM3 has enabled India to pursue heavy-lift geosynchronous missions with complete strategic autonomy. Future variants of LVM3 now under development are aimed at reducing costs and improving performance through new technologies like electric propulsion and recoverable first stages.

About LVM3

The LVM3 is India’s most powerful launcher built entirely with domestic technology. With two large strap-on boosters providing high thrust on lift-off and a cryogenic upper stage, it can launch 4-ton class satellites to geostationary transfer orbit.

LVM3 Description

The technical specifications of LVM3 include:

Basic details of LVM3
Category	– Medium to heavy-lift launch vehicle
Launch History	– First flight:18 December 2014 (suborbital); 5 June 2017 (orbital)
Size	– Height: 43.5 m – Diameter: 4.0 m – Heat Shield (Payload Fairing) Diameter: 5.0 m – Lift Off Mass: 640 tonnes
Payload Capacity	– GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits): 4,000 kg – LEO (Low Earth Orbits): 8,000 kg

Stages of LVM3
Stages of LVM3	Use of Equipment and Fuel
Booster Stage	– S200 solid motor – Fuel: HTPB (Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene)
Liquid Core Stage	– Two Vikas engine – Fuel: UH25 + N2O4
Cryogenic stage	– Indigenous high-thrust cryogenic engine(CE25) – Fuel: LOX + LH2

LVM3 Missions

Here are some key missions launched by ISRO’s LVM3 rocket:

Missions	Details
LVM-3/CARE Mission	– Launch Date: December 18, 2014 – Payload: Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) – Remarks: An experimental suborbital flight to test the crew module’s re-entry capabilities.
LVM3-D1 / GSAT-19 Mission	– Launch Date: June 05, 2017 – Payload: GSAT-19 communication satellite – Remarks: Marked the first orbital test launch of the LVM3.
LVM3-D2 / GSAT-29 Mission	– Launch Date: November 14, 2018 – Payload: GSAT-29 communication satellite – Remarks: Demonstrated the LVM3’s capability for launching communication satellites.
LVM3 M1 / Chandrayaan-2 Mission	– Launch Date: July 22, 2019 – Payload: Chandrayaan-2 – Remarks: India’s second lunar mission, including an orbiter, lander, and rover.
LVM3 M2 / OneWeb India-1 Mission	– Launch Date: October 23, 2022 – Payload: OneWeb Gen-1 satellites – Remarks: India’s first commercial launch of the LVM3.
LVM3 M3 / OneWeb India-2 Mission	– Launch Date: March 26, 2023 – Payload: OneWeb Gen-1 satellites – Remarks: Part of the global OneWeb satellite constellation for high-speed internet connectivity.
LVM3 M4 / Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission	– Launch Date: July 14, 2023 – Payload: Chandrayaan-3 – Remarks: India’s third lunar mission, aimed at exploring the Moon’s surface

Performance of LVM3

The LVM3 successfully launched several missions, including CARE (India’s space capsule recovery experiment module), Chandrayaan-2, and Chandrayaan-3 (India’s moon missions).
It will be used for the Gaganyaan crewed missionunder the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.

Variant	Launches	Successes	Failures
GSLV Mk. III	7	7	0

Significance of LVM3

The successful development of LVM3 carries profound strategic significance for India’s civilian space program and related national interests across economic and technological domains.

Enhanced Launch Capabilities: LVM3 provides heavy lift launch capacity of 4-ton class satellites into GTO, enabling complex future space missions of India beyond earth orbit.
Strategic Autonomy: LVM3 boosts India’s self-reliance in the space sector, reduces dependence on foreign launch providers, and serves the country’s strategic needs in the space domain.
Economic Benefits: It saves costs through launch self-reliance, enables space-based services for socio-economic growth, and facilitates commercial launches to generate revenue.
Technology Demonstration: LVM3 demonstrates India’s mastery of cryogenic engines and critical technologies like stage separation, showcasing the country’s indigenous scientific and technical prowess.

PYQs on LVM3

Question 1: With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:

PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
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? (UPSC Prelims 2018)