Context: Recently, addressing a three-day Engineers conclave 2022, the ISRO chairman has announced to launch Next-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is-going to replace operational systems like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

About New-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

• NGLV is aimed at a cost-efficient, three-stage to orbit, reusable heavy-lift vehicle with a payload capability of ten tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

• It is featured, with semi-cryogenic propulsion (refined kerosene as fuel with liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidiser) for the booster stages, which is cheaper and efficient.

Design

• Design will be simple and robust which allows bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems and stages and minimal turnaround time.

• Uses: Potential uses will be in the areas of launching communication satellites, deep space missions, future human spaceflight and cargo missions.

• In Conclusion, It will replace the PSLV launch vehicle and aimed to be more efficient than, other launch vehicles of ISRO.

The PSLV

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.

• It is the first Indian launch, vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.

• After its first successful launch in October 1994. PSLV emerged as a reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India.

• The vehicle has launched numerous, Indian and foreign customer satellites.

Some Successful launches

• Launched two spacecraft "Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013" that later travelled to Moon and Mars, respectively.

• The launch of PSLV-C48 marks the 50th Launch of PSLV.

• PSLV earned its title, 'the workhorse of ISRO' through consistently delivering various satellites into low earth orbits. particularly the IRS Series of satellites.

• The PSLV is capable of placing multiple payloads into orbit, thus multi-payload adaptors are used in the payload fairing.

List of ISRO’S LAUNCH VEHICLES

• Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV): first rocket developed by ISRO for a small satellite

• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): 1st launch was in 1994. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.

• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): The indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II.

• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV): SSLV is targeted at rising global demand for the launch of small and micro-satellites. SSLV is meant to offer cost-effective launch services for satellites up to 500 kg.

• Reusable Rockets: ISRO has also developed a reusable rocket, called RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator) which had a successful test flight in 2016.