BENGALURU: As India's space mission continues to grow in scope and ambition, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to establish a third launch pad at its spaceport in Sriharikota.
Somanath noted that the second launch pad has seen numerous enhancements over the last twenty years. He emphasised that if any issues were to arise with the second launch pad—such as an explosion—there would be no available launch pad for the GSLV, potentially halting all ongoing programs.
The project has already received approval from the National Space Commission. (Photo: Isro)
Comments from Isro chairman S Somanath
In an exclusive interview with TOI, ISRO chairman S Somanath said: “We only have the second launch pad now. The first one was created for PSLV, but it can’t be used for GSLV as it cannot handle the cryogenic stage. When LVM-3 came, we re-engineered the second launch pad. Now, LVM-3 will also have a semi-cryo stage, and the human spaceflight initially has to happen there.”
Redundancy and NGLV
S Sivakumar, the project director of NGLV, explained that the development of the new rocket—a three-stage vehicle with a reusable first stage—has been driven by advancing technologies and the necessity to lower launch costs. Additionally, current launch vehicles are unable to meet the anticipated future requirements.
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“The primary objective of the third launch pad is to serve as a redundancy. Next is that we are moving to a new philosophy with the NGLV (New Generation Launch Vehicle); it is going to be integrated horizontally and tilted, not vertically. The launch pad must support this aspect. NGLV will be more liquid engine booster-based than solid engine, so the entire launch pad jet deflector design will change. Also, the entire stage testing will happen here and not at Mahendragiri. The launch pad will cater to all of this,” Somanath said.
“Current operational vehicles cannot meet future requirements because we are targeting a 20-tonne payload capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from LVM-3’s capacity of 9.2 tonnes. The target for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) is 9 tonnes compared to the current 4.3 tonnes,” S Sivakumar said.
Recovery and Reusability of NGLV
Regarding the reusability of the NGLV, Sivakumar mentioned that while both vertical and horizontal landing options are possible, the first stage will require either a horizontal landing or a wing-body assisted vertical landing.
Although the National Space Commission approved the establishment of the launch pad during its 153rd meeting, which took place before the September 18 Cabinet meeting that cleared four major space projects — Chandrayaan-4, NGLV, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), and the development of the first module of India's space station — final approval will still need to be sought from the government by ISRO.
Comments from Sivkumar
“Otherwise, the structural mass will be enormous,” he said in his talk on transportation vehicles on Oct 6.
Comments from Somnath
“Both are possible, but both have penalties. For example, the vehicle already has a velocity to move away from land, and you have to kill all the velocity and bring it back to the launch site; you will need a lot of fuel, which means you’ll have lower payload capability,” Somanath said.
He added: “Initially, you need to do that on land only because sea-based recovery is costly, and you won’t have such a platform available readily. Later, once you have confidence, you move to the sea and land it there. Both capabilities are there. When you do it at sea, you will get a higher payload.”
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