LVM-3

GS Paper III Science & Tech Space

Context:

ISRO will launch its Chandrayaan 3 mission on July 14, 2023 onboard an LVM3.

About LVM-3

The Launch Vehicle Mark-III or LVM3, is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Previously known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark–III
Developed by: Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO
Payload capacity: LVM3 will be capable of placing
- 4 tonne class satellites of the GSAT series into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits.
- 8 tonne heavy payloads into Low Earth Orbits of 600 km altitude.

Stages of LVM3:

First (or bottom most) Stage:
- It has two S200 boosters strapped to the sides of the rocket body.
- Fuel used: Solid fuel called hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene.
Second Stage:
1. It is powered by two Vikas engines
2. Fuel used: liquid fuel – either nitrogen tetroxide or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine.
Uppermost Final Stage:
1. It is powered by a cryogenic engine.
2. It combusts liquefied hydrogen with liquefied oxygen.
3. Hydrogen has a very high specific impulse as rocket fuels go, but using it in an engine requires it to be liquefied first.
4. Liquified hydrogen must be stored at very low temperature, and with special pumping and transport systems.

	PSLV.	GSLV	SSLV
Launch Orbit	Polar orbit & GTO.	GEO & GSO.	LEO, sun synchronous orbit
Number of stages	4.	3	3
Payload capacity	1800kg	2200-4000kg	500 kg
Propulsion	Solid & liquid	Solid, liquid, cryogenic	Solid
Application	Earth resources monitoring	Launch of communication satellites	To launch Nano, Micro and Mini satellite