Page 5 - Spec Tech Vol 1 Issue 06
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Work on next-generation rocket to replace
PSLV underway: ISRO chairman Somanath
“The Payload capability of the new
vehicle would be around five tonnes, and
if it is expendable, it would go up to 10
tonnes”
Image Credit: trestpark.org
The Indian Space Research an imminent thing. "Everything has got its own
Organization (ISRO) has begun working life, and PSLV is also not immortal. So, we need
on a next generation rocket as the to find a good time to say goodbye to PSLV. I
existing PSLV will have to be phased am not saying it would be tomorrow. I am only
out one day, Isro chairman S Somanath triggering this thought today to think of the
said on Oct.13. future. PSLV was a technology invented in the
1980s, and hence it doesn't serve the 2020s.
On the sidelines of the engineers' That evolution has to happen," he said.
conclave organized jointly by the ISRO
and Indian National Academy of Somanath said that the further flights of PSLV
Engineering (INAE) at Liquid Propulsion will depend on the commercial possibility of the
Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiyamala, on vehicle. "If there is a demand for PSLV, it will run
the outskirts of the capital, the ISRO for as many years as possible. So, we decided
chairman said that the next-generation to get it out of ISRO. We will do only the
rockets will use semi-cryogenic remaining approved government launches and
propul sion systems. after that ISRO will not do any. That has been
decided. It will be do ne by the industry and if the
“Because semi-cryogenic will be more industry wants to run it for another 20 years, they
efficient in terms of the impulse to are free to run it," he said.
weight function. For booster stages and
lifter stages, semi-cryogenic is the best Somanath said that the idea is to make
option as on today ISRO has already industries partner with ISRO. "We will include
started working on these," he said. He industry, financial institutions, etc. into the
added that the payload capability of the process, so that the whole business of building a
new vehicle would be around five rocket is addressed - not the technology of
tonnes, and if it is expendable, it would building rockets-there is a difference," he said.
go up to 10 tonnes.
He said that the retirement of PSLV is Courtesy: Times News Network
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