What is HLVM3 /Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle /Mark-3GSLV Mk-III

HLVM3 refers to Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3, also known as the GSLV Mk-III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III), which is India’s heaviest and most powerful rocket developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is designed to carry heavy payloads into geostationary and low Earth orbits.

Key Features of HLVM3 (GSLV Mk-III):

1. Payload Capacity:
   • Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): Up to 4,000 kg.
   • Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Up to 10,000 kg.
   • This capacity makes it suitable for launching large satellites and interplanetary missions.
2. Three-Stage Design:
   • Solid Rocket Boosters (S200):
     • Two large boosters provide the initial thrust during liftoff.
   • Liquid Core Stage (L110):
     • Uses two Vikas engines for sustained propulsion after booster separation.
   • Cryogenic Upper Stage (C25):
     • Fueled by liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX), providing high efficiency for the final stages of orbit insertion.
3. Height and Weight:
   • Height: 43.5 meters.
   • Lift-off Mass: Approximately 640 tons.
4. Development Timeline:
   • First successful developmental flight: December 2014 (Crew module atmospheric re-entry experiment).
   • First operational flight: 2019 for the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
5. Unique Capabilities:
   • Human Spaceflight: Adapted as the LVM3-M for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program.
   • Moon and Beyond: Used in the Chandrayaan and future planetary missions.
   • Commercial Launches: Provides a platform for launching heavy communication satellites and international payloads.

Recent Missions of HLVM3

1. Chandrayaan-2 (2019):
   • Successfully launched the mission to explore the Moon’s South Pole.
2. OneWeb Satellite Deployment (2023):
   • Launched a batch of communication satellites for the OneWeb constellation in collaboration with a UK-based company.
3. Gaganyaan (Planned for 2024-2025):
   • The HLVM3 is being prepared to launch India’s first crewed spaceflight.

Significance of HLVM3:

1. Enhancing India’s Space Capability:
   • Catapults India into the league of nations with heavy-lift launch capabilities.
   • Enables ISRO to compete in the global satellite launch market.
2. Strategic Importance:
   • Supports India’s ambitious space exploration missions, including human spaceflight, interplanetary exploration, and advanced scientific research.
3. Economic Impact:
   • Generates revenue through commercial satellite launches for international clients.
   • Strengthens India’s reputation as a cost-effective provider of space launch services.
4. Technological Advancement:
   • Promotes research and development in propulsion systems, materials engineering, and advanced control mechanisms.

HLVM3 is a cornerstone of ISRO’s growing capability to execute complex space missions and compete in the global space economy.