Launch Vehicle Mark 3
Source: Hindu
GS II: Science and Technology
What is discussed?
- About Launch Vehicle Mark 3
Why in News?
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) largest rocket Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3) successfully orbited 36 satellites of the United Kingdom-based OneWeb after taking off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota at 12.07 a.m. (IST).
About LVM3
- The LVM3 is ISRO’s newest medium-heavy lift launch vehicle and India’s biggest rocket.
- The rocket, formerly known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Send Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), is designed to primarily launch satellites into geostationary orbit at 35,000 kilometres.
- With a larger cryogenic upper stage and a larger first stage, the LVM3 can launch substantially heavier satellites than the GSLV Mk II.
- The GSLV Mk II and LVM3 are both three-stage spacecraft, however, the PSLV, which launches to low-Earth orbit, is a four-stage vehicle.
- The GSLV Mk-II has a payload capacity of 2,500kg in geosynchronous orbit and 5,000kg in low earth orbit.
- The GSLV Mk-II has a payload capacity of 2,500kg in geosynchronous orbit and 5,000kg in low earth orbit.
- The LVM3 can lift 4,000 kg to GTO and up to 8,000 kg to LEO. Currently, the largest operating rocket is America’s SpaceX’s non-human rated Falcon Heavy, a super-heavy lift vehicle.
- The human-rated form of the LVM3 will also be employed for Gaganyaan missions.
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here