A model of LMLV rocket (centre). On the left is a model of the LMV-3 rocket, on the right is HLVM3. (Express photo)THE INDIAN Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is in the process of building its heaviest rocket ever, and has named it Lunar Module Launch Vehicle, or LMLV. This new rocket would be as tall as a 40-storey building, dwarfing the LMV-3 which is its current most powerful rocket. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said Friday that the LMLV would be ready by 2035, and would be used for the lunar missions, including the first human mission to the Moon, planned by 2040.The LVM-3 carried Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon and since then has been human-rated for use in the Gaganyaan mission, India’s human spaceflight programme. Narayanan said ISRO was no longer working on the NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle), a heavy-lift rocket that was supposed to carry the modules for India’s space station, the Bharat Antariksh Station, or BAS. India plans to set up a five-module Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035.“This launch vehicle (LMLV) is capable of carrying much heavier payloads. NGLV was designed to carry 30 tonnes to low earth orbit, this will be capable of carrying 80 tonnes to the low earth orbit,” Narayanan said.Low-earth orbits are between 200 and 2,000 km from the Earth’s surface. Moon is about 4 lakh km away. The LMLV rocket would be capable of carrying about 27 tonnes to the Moon.The spacecraft carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, like the Crew Dragon of SpaceX which was used in the Axiom-4 mission recently, weigh between six to eight tonnes. But those going to the Moon would be heavier because of additional systems that are required to be fitted for the longer journey. Humans have not landed on the Moon after 1972, and as such the new generation of human-rated spacecraft for lunar missions are still under development. But it is estimated that they might fall in the 18-20 tonne weight category.A model of the new rocket is currently displayed at the Bharat Mandapam, where ISRO is hosting a two-day event leading up to the National Space Day on Saturday.Narayanan said the design for the vehicle was prepared by the ISRO team within a few months working day and night.Story continues below this ad“NGLV will no longer be required for setting up the BAS. A modified version of the current LVM3 rocket, using a liquid oxygen and kerosene engine, will be capable of putting all modules in space,” he said.The heaviest payload that the current LVM3 has carried to low earth orbit is 5.8 tonnes. With the liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, it will be capable of carrying up to 10 tonnes to a low earth orbit of around 400 km, the height required for the space station.The LMLV will be a three-stage rocket, with the first two stages using liquid propellent and the third stage using a cryogenic propellant. Placed side-by-side, even the strap-on boosters of the LMLV are taller than the entire height of the current LVM3. The first stage core, along with two strap-on motors, will have three sets of nine engines or 27 in total.ISRO scientists said the LMLV was just an improved version of the NGLV that was already under development. When used without the strap-on boosters, the LMLV would be as good as NGLV would have been. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)ISRO