In News:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan said the space agency was in the process of building its heaviest rocket ever, and had named it Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV).

About the LMLV

• A next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle, planned readiness by 2035.
• Designed specifically for lunar and interplanetary missions.
• Will be India’s most powerful rocket to date.

Specifications

• Payload to Moon: ~27 tonnes.
• Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): ~80 tonnes.
• Propulsion: Advanced cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines.
• Objective: To enable crewed lunar missions by 2040 and expand India’s capabilities in deep space exploration.

Evolution of India’s Launch Vehicles

• Sounding Rockets (1963): For atmospheric studies; first launch at Thumba, Kerala.
• SLV-3 (1980): Led by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam; placed Rohini satellite in orbit.
• ASLV (1987–94): Limited success; ~150 kg payloads.
• PSLV (1994 onwards): India’s “workhorse” rocket; enabled Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Mangalyaan (2013).
• GSLV (1990s–2010s): Introduced cryogenic engines; ~2,500 kg payload to GTO.
• LVM-3 / GSLV Mk-III (2017): Heaviest operational rocket; ~4,000 kg to GTO; launched Chandrayaan-2 (2019), Chandrayaan-3 (2023).
• LMLV (planned 2035): Will surpass all earlier systems; cornerstone for India’s human spaceflight to the Moon and beyond.