Unified Launch Vehicle

The Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV) is a development project by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) whose core objective is to design a modular architecture that could eventually replace the PSLV, GSLV Mk I/II and GSLV Mk III with a single family of launchers.[1] The design may include a heavy-lift variant dubbed HLV, consisting of the SC-160 stage and two solid rocket boosters, as well as a super heavy-lift variant called SHLV with a cluster stage of five SCE-200 engines .[1][12] As SCE-200 will only fly after the successful completion of the Gaganyaan program, the launcher will not fly before 2022.[4]

Unified Launch Vehicle
FunctionMedium- to Heavy-lift launch vehicle
ManufacturerIndian Space Research Organisation[1]
Country of originIndia
Size
Mass270,000 to 700,000 kg (600,000 to 1,540,000 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO[2]
Mass6 × S-13 : 4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
2 × S-60 : 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
2 × S-139 : 12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
2 × S-200 : 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
HLV (Variant) : 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
SHLV (Variant) : 41,300 kg (91,100 lb)
Payload to GTO[3]
Mass6 × S-13 : 1,500 kg (3,300 lb)
2 × S-60 : 3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
2 × S-139 : 4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
2 × S-200 : 6,000 kg (13,000 lb)
HLV (Variant) : 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
SHLV (Variant) : 16,300 kg (35,900 lb)
Launch history
First flightAfter 2022[4]
Boosters – S-13[5][6][7]
No. boosters6
Length12 m (39 ft)[8]
Diameter1 m (3 ft 3 in)[8]
Propellant mass13,000 kg (29,000 lb)[8]
MotorS-13
Thrust716 kN (161,000 lbf)[8]
Burn time80 seconds[8]
FuelHTPB
Boosters – S-60[5][6]
No. boosters2
Propellant mass60,000 kg (130,000 lb)
MotorS-60
FuelHTPB
Boosters – S-139[5][6]
No. boosters2
Length20.1 m (66 ft)[9]
Diameter2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)[9]
Propellant mass138,200 kg (304,700 lb)[9]
MotorS-139
Thrust4,700 kN (1,100,000 lbf)[10]
Burn time100 seconds[9]
FuelHTPB
Boosters – S-200
No. boosters2
Length25 m (82 ft)[11]
Diameter3.2 m (10 ft)[11]
Propellant mass207,000 kg (456,000 lb)[11]
MotorS-200
Thrust4,658 kN (1,047,000 lbf) each
Total thrust9,316 kN (2,094,000 lbf)[11]
Specific impulse274.5 (vacuum)[11]
Burn time130 sec[11]
FuelHTPB[11]
Core stage – SC-160
Propellant mass160,000 kg (350,000 lb)
EnginesSCE-200[6]
ThrustSL: 1,820 kN (410,000 lbf)
Vac: 2,030 kN (460,000 lbf)
Specific impulseSL: 299 s (2.93 km/s)
Vac: 335 s (3.29 km/s)
Burn time259 sec
FuelKerosene / LOX
Upper stage – C-30
Propellant mass30,000 kg (66,000 lb)
EnginesCE-20[6]
Thrust200 kN (45,000 lbf)
Specific impulse443 s (4.34 km/s)
Burn time650 sec
FuelLH2 / LOX

Design

As of May 2013, based on ISRO data, the design comprised a common core and upper stage, with four different booster sizes.[13] All four versions of the boosters are solid motors, with at least three versions reusing current motors from the PSLV, GSLV Mk I/II and LVM3.[5] The core, known as the SC160 (Semi-Cryogenic stage with 160 tonnes of propellant, in the ISRO nomenclature), would have 160,000 kg (350,000 lb) of Kerosene / LOX propellant and be powered by a single SCE-200 rocket engine. The upper stage, known as the C30 (Cryogenic stage with 30 tonnes of propellant) would have 30,000 kg (66,000 lb) of LH2 / LOX propellant and be powered by a single CE-20 engine.[1][12]

The four booster options are:

  • 6 × S-13, slightly larger than the S-12 on PSLV, to burn longer;
  • 2 × S-60, which appears to be a new solid motor development;
  • 2 × S-139, which is the first stage of PSLV and GSLV Mk I/II;
  • 2 × S-200, like on the LVM3.


Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV-Variant):-

A potential heavy-lift variant (HLV) of the unified launcher capable of placing up to 10 ton class of spacecraft into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit would include:[1][14][12]

  • A larger dual S-250 solid strap-on boosters as compared to the S-200 boosters used in LVM3;
  • A L-400 semi-cryogenic core stage, with 400 tonnes of propellant, using a cluster of five SCE-200 engines;
  • A L-27 cryogenic third stage, with 27 tonnes of propellant, using CE-20 engine.

Comparable rockets

See also

References

  1. Brügge, Norbert. "ULV (LMV3-SC)". B14643.de. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  2. "ULV". www.b14643.de.
  3. "ULV". www.b14643.de.
  4. "Episode 90 – An update on ISRO's activities with S Somanath and R Umamaheshwaran". AstrotalkUK. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. "ISRO Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV)". NASAspaceflight. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  6. Brügge, Norbert. "Propulsion ULV". B14643.de. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  7. "PSLV". ISRO. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  8. PSLV-C28 DMC3 Mission Brochure (PDF). ISRO. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  9. GSLV-D5 GSAT-14 Mission Brochure (PDF). ISRO. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  10. "GSLV". ISRO. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  11. "LVM3". ISRO. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  12. Brügge, Norbert. "LVM3, ULV & HLV". B14643.de. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  13. "ISRO Unified Launch Vehicle Update". Antariksh Space. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  14. ""Indigenous Development of Materials for Space Programme" By Dr A. S. Kiran Kumar Presentation Slides. Indian Institute Of Science iisc.ernet.in Date: 21 August 2015".
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