LAUNCH VEHICLE MARK-III
1. Context
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully integrated the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft with the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
2. About LVM3
- LVM3 is India's heaviest rocket, boasting a gross lift-off weight of 640 tonnes, an overall length of 43.5 meters, and a 5-meter diameter payload fairing.
- It can carry up to 8 tonnes of payload to the lower Earth orbit (LEO), approximately 200 km from the Earth's surface.
- However, its payload capacity reduces to around 4 tonnes for geostationary transfer orbits (GTO) located much farther at approximately 35,000 km from Earth.
Image Source: Research Gate3. Integration of Chandrayaan-3 with LVM3
- Chandrayaan-3, comprising a lander, rover, and propulsion module, has been integrated with the LVM3 launch vehicle.
- This integration is necessary as the spacecraft cannot travel to space independently.
- Rockets like LVM3 provide the powerful propulsion systems required to lift heavy objects, such as satellites, overcoming Earth's gravitational pull.
4. LVM3's Strengths
- Although LVM3's payload capacity may seem lower compared to rockets used by other countries or space agencies, it remains a robust launch vehicle.
- For instance, the European Space Agency's Ariane 5 rocket has a lift-off mass of 780 tonnes, carrying 20 tonnes to LEO and 10 tonnes to GTO.
- LVM3 made its maiden journey into space in 2014 and previously launched the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.
- Notably, it successfully deployed 36 OneWeb satellites in March 2023, showcasing its ability to deliver multiple satellites into space.
5. Components of LVM3
- LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle, consisting of two solid boosters (S200), a core liquid fuel-based stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
- The rocket operates in a staged manner, with different sections burning their respective fuels to power the vehicle.
- Once the fuel is depleted, these stages separate and fall off, with only a small part of the rocket reaching the intended destination, carrying the satellite.
6. Flight Sequence
- During launch, the S200 boosters ignite simultaneously, followed by the ignition of the L110 core stage at around 113 seconds.
- The S200 motors burn for approximately 134 seconds before separation occurs at 137 seconds.
- The payload fairing separates at an altitude of 115 km and around 217 seconds into the flight.
- At 313 seconds, the L110 stage burns out and separates, and the C25 stage ignites.
- Finally, at a nominal time of 974 seconds, the spacecraft is injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) with dimensions of 180×36000 km.
7. Conclusion
- With the integration of Chandrayaan-3 and LVM3, India is making significant progress in its lunar exploration efforts.
- The upcoming launch will provide an opportunity for India to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, expanding its contributions to space exploration and research.
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For Prelims: Chandrayaan-3, LVM3, ISRO, Moon, Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, lower Earth orbit, European Space Agency, Ariane 5 rocket, Chandrayaan-2 mission, OneWeb satellites,
For Mains:
1. Discuss the implications of Chandrayaan-3 for India's position in the global space industry and its aspirations for lunar exploration. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. What will be India's second moon mission by ISRO? (Maharashtra Talathi 2019)
A. Chandrayaan 1 B. Chandrayaan 1.A C. Chandrayaan 2 D. Chandrayaan 3
Answer: C
2. In the context of space technology, what is "Bhuvan", recently in the news? (UPSC 2010)
A. A mini satellite, launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India
B. The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayan-II
C. A geoportal of ISRO with 3 D imaging capabilities of India
D. A space telescope developed by India
Answer: C
3. ISRO is related to: (SSC JE EE 2020)
A. space research B. agricultural research C. seed research D. marine research
Answer: A
4. The phases of the moon as we see from the Earth are due to changing relative positions of the sun, the earth and the moon. Which of the following statements is true. (CTET 2022)
A. on a full moon day, the earth comes between the sun and the moon
B. on a new moon day, the moon is in between the earth and the sun
C. on a full moon day, the moon is in between the Earth and the sun
D. on a new moon day, the earth is between the sun and the moon
E. on a new moon day, the sun is between the moon and the earth
1. A, B 2. B, C 3. C, D 4. A, E
Answer:1
5. Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be on such an orbit when: (UPSC 2011)
1. The orbit is geosynchronous.
2. The orbit is circular.
3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth's equator.
4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A. 1, 2 and 3 only B. 1, 3 and 4 only C. 2 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
6. Satish Dhawan Space Centre is located at (MP Police Constable 2017)
A. Thiruvananthapuram B. Sriharikota C. Narendrapuri D. Mahendragiri
Answer: B
7. Sriharikota, where Satish Dhawan Space Centre is located, is situated next to which lake? (Haryana Civil Services 2021)
A. Chilika B. Pulicat C. Vembanad D. Kolar
Answer: B
8. A low earth orbit satellite can provide large signal strength at an earth station because: (ESE 2011)
A. Path loss is low
B. These orbits are immune to noise
C. Large solar power can be generated at these orbits
D. Lower microwave frequencies in s-band can be used
Answer: A
9. Chandrayaan - 2 was launched from which of the following states by ISRO? (DSSSB LDC 2019)
A. Maharashtra B. Rajasthan C. Kerala D. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: D
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Source: The Indian Express
