Yes, it’s all about rocket science

Source: The post is based on the article “Yes, it’s all about rocket science” published in The Times of India on 22nd October 2022. 

Syllabus: GS 3 – Science and Technology 

Relevance: Measures that can be taken by India to improve its launch of rockets 

News: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark3 (GSLV-Mk3) which is India’s heaviest rocket will enter into the commercial market after attempting to put 36 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for UK-based OneWeb on October. 

ISRO has already launched 345 foreign satellites using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). However, this time it will be GSLV that will launch the satellites. 

What is the importance of GSLV-Mk3 on the present mission? 

GSLV-Mk3 first mission was the Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment in 2014. However, it was declared operational in the year 2019 after the launch of Chandrayaan-2. 

It was also used in demonstration missions in 2017 and 2018 by launching Gsat-19 and Gsat-29. 

Therefore, from past experience, ISRO is confident in this mission as well. This mission will show India’s ability to launch heavier payloads to LEO.  

It will also attract commercial customers through Space PSU New Space India Limited (NSIL) and provide future opportunities for launches into higher orbits. 

There are also strategic benefits of a successful Mk3 such as launching a group of remote-sensing satellites in the future. 

However, the future lies in the development of rockets along with the increasing demands and India needs to address it. 

What are the current problems with rocket development in India and how can they be solved? 

India is currently working with GSLV-Mk3 to launch third-party commercial satellites but simply relying on GSLV-Mk3 will not work.  

Rocket technology is developing rapidly and India also needs to move along with the global development if it wants to compete with the world leading space agencies. 

There is also a need to increase the payload of rockets as GSLV-Mk3 is currently the highest payload capacity in India but it is at best only a medium-lift rocket by global standards. 

Moreover, India is taking efforts towards manufacturing GSLV-Mk3 to be in the line of competition as NSIL is looking to manufacture more launch rockets (GSLV-Mk3). 

India is also looking to develop a second spaceport spread across 2,300 acres in Tamil Nadu’s Kulasekharapatnam. 

However, out of these, the cost of launching a satellite into space is a major concern. 

What is the cost of launching a satellite and how can it be reduced? 

At present, it would cost an estimated Rs 14 lakh to put 1 kg in LEO using a PSLV and an estimated Rs 5. 7 lakhs on an Mk3.  

However, the cost of global space agencies are also along the same line, but there is a need to reduce the cost and that is why reusable rockets holds importance. 

According to ISRO scientists, reusable rockets would reduce one-tenth of the present launch cost but India is a long way away from this technology. 

Therefore, to cut the launch cost ISRO is planning to build New Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) which is reusable. 

What can be the further course of action? 

ISRO is planning in the right direction and it further needs to develop heavier Mk3 and reliable Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to fulfil all types of demands. 

Further, any unsuccessful mission like Gaganyaaan should not be a setback for ISRO, and it should always prioritise the development of launch vehicles as it is important for future successful missions.