SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed ambitious plans to land its next-generation launch vehicle, the NGLV or “Soorya,” on a barge at sea. This innovative approach aims to reduce costs and improve the sustainability of India’s space program.
The NGLV represents a major technological advancement for India, offering a payload capacity three times that of the current LVM3 rocket while only increasing costs by 50%. A key feature of the NGLV is its reusability, which promises to significantly lower the cost of space access. The vehicle will also incorporate modular green propulsion systems, aligning with global efforts towards sustainable space exploration.
With a maximum payload capability of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the NGLV is designed to meet India’s growing space ambitions during the Amrit Kaal period. This includes supporting human-rated missions and high-payload launches required for future space station operations and lunar missions.
By landing the NGLV on a barge at sea, ISRO aims to reduce the turnaround time between launches and minimize ground infrastructure requirements. This approach could also enable more frequent launches and lower overall costs. The successful implementation of this plan would solidify India’s position as a leading space power and contribute to the global development of sustainable space exploration.