LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)

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 (1^st 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