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LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)

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November 06, 2025

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and Technology

Why in News?

India’s biggest launch vehicle, LVM3, is put into orbit the communication satellite CMS-03 recently.

  • Agency - It is India’s most powerful launch vehicle, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • It also known as GSLV Mk III or Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3).
  • Weight –4,410 kg (1st one weighing over 4,000 kg).
  • Orbit - geosynchronous transfer orbit
  • Stage – 3 stages.
  • Propellant - Two solid propellant S200 strap-ons.
  • Height - ~43.5 meters
  • Lift-off Mass - ~640 tonnes
  • Payload Capacity (LEO) - Up to 8,000 kg.
  • Payload Capacity (GTO) - Up to 4,000 kg.
  • Stages – 3.
  • Configuration - 2 solid strap-on boosters + 1 liquid core stage + 1 cryogenic upper stage.
  • Notable Missions
    • GSLV Mk III-D1 (2017) - First successful orbital flight — launched GSAT-19.
    • GSLV Mk III-M1 (2019) - Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission.
    • LVM3-M2 (2022) - Launched 36 OneWeb satellites (India’s first commercial heavy-lift mission).
    • LVM3-M3 (2023) - Second OneWeb batch.
  • Future Role - LVM3 is the workhorse for India’s upcoming human spaceflight program (Gaganyaan) and interplanetary missions, as well as commercial satellite launches.

Reference

The Indian Express | about LVM3

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