GSLV III
Encyclopedia
The GSLV-III or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle mark III is a launch vehicle currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organization. It is intended to launch heavy satellites into geostationary orbit
, and will allow India to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting.
The rocket is the technological successor to the GSLV, however is not derived from its predecessor. The GSLV-I has a Russian-made cryogenic third stage, which is to be replaced with an identical Indian-built one for the GSLV-II. US objections based on the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR) prevented the Russia-India technology transfer that would have enabled this. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place in 2012.
, each producing 75 tonnes (735 kN) of thrust. The improved Vikas engine will use regenerative cooling, providing improved weight and specific impulse
, compared to earlier rockets. L110 is one of the heaviest earth storable liquid stages ever developed by ISRO.
engine, fueled by 25 tonnes of LOX
+LH2
. It has a 4-metre diameter and is 8.2 metres long. The stage will produce 20 tonnes (197 kN) of thrust.
plant, vehicle assembly and integration building, mobile launch pedestal and facilities at work centers have reached the final phase of completion.
First batch of light alloy structure and motor case segments were realized at work centers. The avionics system designs have been completed and first batch of packages are being realized for qualification. Avionics
assemblies layout has been finalized and integration trials for package assembly are being carried out
conducted the static test of its liquid core stage (L110) of GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, for 150 seconds at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) test facility at Mahendragiri at 16:00 hrs on March 5, 2010.While the test was originally targeted for 200 seconds it was stopped at 150 seconds since a deviation in one of the parameters was observed. Then on 8th September the same year ISRO successfully conducted the second static testing of L110 for 200 seconds . Nearly 500 health parameters were monitored during the test and the initial data acquired indicated its normal performance.
Geostationary orbit
A geostationary orbit is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earth's equator , with a period equal to the Earth's rotational period and an orbital eccentricity of approximately zero. An object in a geostationary orbit appears motionless, at a fixed position in the sky, to ground observers...
, and will allow India to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting.
The rocket is the technological successor to the GSLV, however is not derived from its predecessor. The GSLV-I has a Russian-made cryogenic third stage, which is to be replaced with an identical Indian-built one for the GSLV-II. US objections based on the Missile Technology Control Regime
Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime is an informal and voluntary partnership between 34 countries to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying a 500 kg payload at least 300 km....
(MTCR) prevented the Russia-India technology transfer that would have enabled this. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place in 2012.
Boosters
The boosters used on the GSLV-III will be the S-200, which is also designated Large Solid Booster, or LSB, which is a solid propellant stage with a mass of 200 tonnes. Two boosters will be used. Each has a diameter of 3.2 metres and a length of 25 metres. Each booster generates 560 tonnes-force (5.50 MN) of thrust at lift-off.Core stage
The core stage will be the L-110 restartable liquid stage which has 110 tonnes of liquid propellant and a diameter of 4-metres. It will be the first Indian liquid engine cluster design, and will use two improved Vikas enginesVIKAS engine
The Vikas Engine is a liquid fueled rocket engine made by India. It was developed by Nambi Narayanan and his team during the 1970s. It is used in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle series of expendable launch vehicles for space launch use...
, each producing 75 tonnes (735 kN) of thrust. The improved Vikas engine will use regenerative cooling, providing improved weight and specific impulse
Specific impulse
Specific impulse is a way to describe the efficiency of rocket and jet engines. It represents the derivative of the impulse with respect to amount of propellant used, i.e., the thrust divided by the amount of propellant used per unit time. If the "amount" of propellant is given in terms of mass ,...
, compared to earlier rockets. L110 is one of the heaviest earth storable liquid stages ever developed by ISRO.
Upper stage
The upper stage will be the C-25, powered by the CE-20CE-20
Th CE-20 is a cryogenic rocket engine being developed by India. The CE-20 engine is being developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, a subsidiary of ISRO. It is being developed to power the upper stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle III...
engine, fueled by 25 tonnes of LOX
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
+LH2
Liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen is the liquid state of the element hydrogen. Hydrogen is found naturally in the molecular H2 form.To exist as a liquid, H2 must be pressurized above and cooled below hydrogen's Critical point. However, for hydrogen to be in a full liquid state without boiling off, it needs to be...
. It has a 4-metre diameter and is 8.2 metres long. The stage will produce 20 tonnes (197 kN) of thrust.
Payload fairing
The payload fairing will have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload volume of 100 cubic metre.Current status
In 2007, the wind tunnel tests were completed and vehicle aero-elastic test activities commenced. The vehicle configuration update was completed. All major facilities including propellantPropellant
A propellant is a material that produces pressurized gas that:* can be directed through a nozzle, thereby producing thrust ;...
plant, vehicle assembly and integration building, mobile launch pedestal and facilities at work centers have reached the final phase of completion.
First batch of light alloy structure and motor case segments were realized at work centers. The avionics system designs have been completed and first batch of packages are being realized for qualification. Avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
assemblies layout has been finalized and integration trials for package assembly are being carried out
S-200 Static test
The Solid booster S-200 was successfully tested in 24th January 2010. During the test, the S-200 booster was fired for 130 seconds and generated a peak thrust of about 500 tonnes. The performance of the booster was exactly as predicted. Nearly 600 health parameters were monitored during the test and the initial data indicates normal performance. Second successful static test of solid booster S200 conducted at SDSC, SHAR on September 04, 2011.L-110 Static test
Indian Space Research OrganisationIndian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
conducted the static test of its liquid core stage (L110) of GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, for 150 seconds at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) test facility at Mahendragiri at 16:00 hrs on March 5, 2010.While the test was originally targeted for 200 seconds it was stopped at 150 seconds since a deviation in one of the parameters was observed. Then on 8th September the same year ISRO successfully conducted the second static testing of L110 for 200 seconds . Nearly 500 health parameters were monitored during the test and the initial data acquired indicated its normal performance.
C25 Cryogenic Engine
The work towards realization of C25 Cryogenic Engine for the GSLV-MkIII programme is progressing well. Major sub-systems of the C25 Cryogenic Engine such as Gas Generator, Turbo-pumps for the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) have been realised and tested. Preparations for the testing of one of the major subsystem viz., Thrust Chamber are underway. The integrated test of the C25 Cryogenic Engine is planned for end 2011.Comparable rockets
- Angara A3
- Atlas VAtlas VAtlas V is an active expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. Atlas V was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin, and is now operated by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture United Launch Alliance...
- Delta IVDelta IV rocketDelta IV is an active expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family. Delta IV uses rockets designed by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in the United Launch Alliance facility in Decatur, Alabama. Final assembly is completed at the launch site by ULA...
- Falcon 9Falcon 9Falcon 9 is a rocket-powered spaceflight launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of its two-stage-to-orbit vehicle use liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellants...
- H-IIAH-IIAH-IIA is an active expendable launch system operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency . The liquid-fueled H-IIA rockets have been used to launch satellites into geostationary orbit, to launch a lunar orbiting spacecraft, and to launch an interplanetary...
- Long March 3Long March 3The Long March 3 , also known as the Chang Zheng 3, CZ-3 and LM-3, was a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It was launched from Launch Complex 1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. It was a 3-stage rocket, and was mostly used to place DFH-2-class communications satellites into geosynchronous...
- Titan IIIC
See also
- ISRO Orbital VehicleISRO Orbital VehicleThe Indian manned spacecraft temporarily named Orbital Vehicle is intended to be the basis of the indigenous Indian human spaceflight program. The capsule will be designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with rendezvous and docking capability.In its maiden...
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Indian Space Research OrganisationThe Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
- Comparison of mid-heavy lift launch systems
- Polar Satellite Launch VehiclePolar Satellite Launch VehicleThe Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle , commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation . It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that...
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch VehicleGeosynchronous Satellite Launch VehicleThe Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation...