India’s New Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Approved by Prime Minister Modi
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This is a major step towards India’s vision of establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and achieving a crewed Moon landing by 2040, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Rijiju shared the news on social media platform ‘X’, stating, “NGLV will have 3 times the present payload capability with 1.5 times the cost compared to LVM3, and will also have reusability resulting in low-cost access to space and modular green propulsion systems.”
The NGLV is designed to carry a maximum payload of 30 tonnes to low earth orbit (LEO) and features a reusable first stage. Currently, India can launch satellites up to 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) using PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV launch vehicles.
The project will involve significant participation from Indian industry, which will invest in manufacturing capacity from the outset. The development phase will include three demonstration flights (D1, D2, and D3) and is expected to be completed in 96 months (8 years). The total approved funding is Rs 8240 crore, covering development costs, flights, facility establishment, program management, and launch campaigns.
The NGLV will support national and commercial missions, including human spaceflight to the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, lunar and inter-planetary exploration, and the launch of communication and earth observation satellites. This project is expected to significantly boost India’s space ecosystem.
Doubts Revealed
Union Cabinet -: The Union Cabinet is a group of top leaders in the Indian government who make important decisions. It is led by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the leader of India. His full name is Narendra Modi, and he makes important decisions for the country.
Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) -: The Next-Generation Launch Vehicle, or NGLV, is a new type of rocket that will help India send things into space more efficiently.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station -: The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is a planned space station for India. ‘Antariksh’ means space in Hindi.
Crewed Moon landing -: A crewed Moon landing means sending astronauts to the Moon. ‘Crewed’ means people will be on the mission.
Payload capacity -: Payload capacity is how much weight a rocket can carry into space. The new rocket can carry three times more weight than current ones.
Reusable -: Reusable means the rocket can be used more than once. This helps save money because we don’t have to build a new rocket every time.
Rs 8240 crore -: Rs 8240 crore is a lot of money. In Indian currency, ‘Rs’ stands for Rupees, and ‘crore’ means ten million. So, Rs 8240 crore is 82.4 billion Rupees.
Indian industry -: Indian industry refers to companies and businesses in India that will help build the new rocket and other space technologies.
