Representation    

As India eyes setting up its own space station by 2035, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed to the industry to collaborate with it in developing a reusable rocket capable of carrying heavier payloads into orbit.

Dubbed as the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), ISRO Chairman S Somanath said the space agency was working on the design of the rocket and would like the industry to collaborate with it in the development and the first milestone would be achieved later next year.

“The intent is to bring industry along in the development process. All the money need not be invested by us. We want the industry to invest to create this rocket for all of us,” Somanath said in an interaction with the media.

The NGLV will be propelled by cost-effective and more efficient semi-cryogenic propulsion comprising refined kerosene as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer for the booster stages.

The NGLV will reportedly have a simple and robust design to realize bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems, and stages, and minimal turnaround time. It will potentially be used for launching communication satellites, deep space missions, space stations, related cargo missions and future human spaceflight.




What Is NextGen Launch Vehicle?

In NGLV, ISRO is looking at a cost-efficient, three-stage to orbit, reusable heavy-lift vehicle with a payload capability of to carry a 10 ton payload in the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) or 20 tons to the low earth orbit.

Its robust design allows bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems and stages and minimal turnaround time.

It will feature semi-cryogenic propulsion (refined kerosene or CNG as fuel with liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidiser) for the booster stages.

Potential uses will be in launching communication satellites, deep space missions, future human spaceflight, space stations and cargo missions.