Unified Launch Vehicle

Updated on Jan 18, 2024

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Country of origin India		Stages 2
Function Medium- to Heavy-lift launch vehicle Manufacturer Indian Space Research Organisation Mass 270,000 to 700,000 kg (600,000 to 1,540,000 lb) Payload to LEO 6 × 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)

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 LVM3 with a single family of launchers. The design may include a heavy-lift variant dubbed HLV.

Design

As of May 2013, based on ISRO data, the design comprised a common core and upper stage, with four different booster sizes. 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. 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.

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.

A potential heavy-lift variant (HLV) of the unified launcher capable of placing up to 9 ton class of spacecrafts into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit would include:

A larger dual S-250 solid strap-on boosters as compared to the S-200 boosters used in LVM3;

A semi-cryogenic core stage similar to LVM3 with SCE-200 engine;

A semi cryogenic third stage with a new CE-50 engine;

A new fourth stage with cryogenic C10 engine.