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Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3)

Kartavya Desk Staff

  • Source: HT*

Context: Union Minister confirmed in Parliament that India has completed the development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan mission, marking a key milestone ahead of India’s first human spaceflight.

• The long-term vision includes the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and Indian Moon Landing by 2040.

About Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3):

What is HLVM3? HLVM3 is India’s first human-rated launch vehicle, adapted from the proven LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) platform, designed to safely carry astronauts (Gaganyatris) into Low Earth Orbit under the Gaganyaan programme.

• HLVM3 is India’s first human-rated launch vehicle, adapted from the proven LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) platform, designed to safely carry astronauts (Gaganyatris) into Low Earth Orbit under the Gaganyaan programme.

Developed By:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Designed under the guidance of the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• Designed under the guidance of the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC)

Mission Aim:

• Enable safe launch, orbital insertion, and return of Indian astronauts. Form the backbone for future long-term missions like Bharatiya Antariksha Station and Indian lunar landing. Build self-reliant capacity in human space exploration and demonstrate advanced space safety systems.

• Enable safe launch, orbital insertion, and return of Indian astronauts.

• Form the backbone for future long-term missions like Bharatiya Antariksha Station and Indian lunar landing.

• Build self-reliant capacity in human space exploration and demonstrate advanced space safety systems.

Key Features of HLVM3:

Three-Stage Configuration: Two S200 solid rocket boosters, L110 liquid core stage, and C25 cryogenic stage. Capable of lifting ~10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit. Human-Rated Modifications: Systems upgraded for redundancy, fault-tolerance, and escape options. Designed with higher safety margins and enhanced quality assurance protocols. Crew Escape System (CES): Five types of motors already tested. Enables safe ejection of crew during ascent in emergencies. Operational from liftoff to orbital injection phase. Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM): CM tested for re-entry, parachute deployment, thermal resistance. SM handles power, propulsion, and environmental control. Supporting Infrastructure: Gaganyaan Control Centre, training facility, and dedicated launch modifications at SDSC. Recovery operations plan and communication network fully established.

Three-Stage Configuration: Two S200 solid rocket boosters, L110 liquid core stage, and C25 cryogenic stage. Capable of lifting ~10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.

• Two S200 solid rocket boosters, L110 liquid core stage, and C25 cryogenic stage.

• Capable of lifting ~10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.

Human-Rated Modifications: Systems upgraded for redundancy, fault-tolerance, and escape options. Designed with higher safety margins and enhanced quality assurance protocols.

• Systems upgraded for redundancy, fault-tolerance, and escape options.

• Designed with higher safety margins and enhanced quality assurance protocols.

Crew Escape System (CES): Five types of motors already tested. Enables safe ejection of crew during ascent in emergencies. Operational from liftoff to orbital injection phase.

• Five types of motors already tested.

• Enables safe ejection of crew during ascent in emergencies.

• Operational from liftoff to orbital injection phase.

Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM): CM tested for re-entry, parachute deployment, thermal resistance. SM handles power, propulsion, and environmental control.

• CM tested for re-entry, parachute deployment, thermal resistance.

• SM handles power, propulsion, and environmental control.

Supporting Infrastructure: Gaganyaan Control Centre, training facility, and dedicated launch modifications at SDSC. Recovery operations plan and communication network fully established.

• Gaganyaan Control Centre, training facility, and dedicated launch modifications at SDSC.

• Recovery operations plan and communication network fully established.

AI-assisted content, editorially reviewed by Kartavya Desk Staff.

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