Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 29 (Reporter) ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan on Saturday said the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV)--the tallest rocket thus far and that could heavier payloads--and the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the SHAR Range here, would provide a major boost to the space sector. According to reports NGLV was christened as Soorya. Addressing a press conference after the successful GSLV-F15 mission when the Navigation Satellite NVS-02 was injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit--marking the landmark 100th mission of ISRO-- and after the success of his first mission after taking over as ISRO Chief and Secretary, Department of Space, about two weeks back, Dr Narayanan said the Union Cabinet has given its approvals for the NGLV and the TLP. "The Cabinet approvals for building NGLV, that can carry heavy payloads and the TLP at Sriharikota at a cost off around Rs 4,000 crore will provide a major boost for the space sector", he said. Observing that there would be a hurge demand of these launch vehicles from the private sector, Dr Narayanan said the NGLV will be a three-stage vehicle with two strap-ons and can be used in Chandrayaan 4 and 5 missions and also in deep space missions. The TLP at the spaceport of Sriharikota for which the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval recently, will be used to launch these vehicles. It will take 48 months to build the TLP, he said. He said exciting times are head for Indian space activities with a lot of missions, including ISRO-NASA joint NISAR mission, Chandrayaan 4 and 5 missions lined up. "Our activities are not only exciting but contributing for the common man,” he said. Meanwhile, report said ISRO has unveiled its updated specification for the thus far heaviest rocket NGLV, whose height has now been designed to a towering 92 metres, which was significantly taller than the 70 metre tall SpaceX Falcon Heavy lift launch vehicle. The NGLV could carry three times the paylaod capacity of the current LVM-3 at lower cost and this increased payload caprrying capabilities would support India's increasing space exploration missions that included setting up a Space STation and manned Lunar Missions. The Union Cabinet which had approved the development of NGLV in September 2024, that will be a significant step towards the Government’s vision of establishing and operating the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and towards developing capability for Indian Crewed Landing on the Moon by 2040, will have 3 times the present payload capability with 1.5 times the cost compared to LVM3, and will also have reusability resulting in low-cost access to space and modular green propulsion systems. The goals of the Indian space programme during the Amrit Kaal require a new generation of human rated launch vehicles with high payload capability and reusability. Hence, the development of the NGLV is taken up which is designed to have a maximum payload capability of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, which also has a reusable first stage, a PIB release issued on that day said. Currently, India has achieved self-reliance in space transportation systems to launch satellites up to 10 tonne to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4 tonne to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) through the currently operational PSLV, GSLV, LVM3 and SSLV launch vehicles. The NGLV development project will be implemented with maximal participation from the Indian industry, who is also expected to invest in the manufacturing capacity at the outset itself, thereby allowing a seamless transition to the operational phase subsequent to the development. NGLV will be demonstrated with three development flights (D1, D2 and D3) with a target of 96 months (8 years) for the completion of the development phase. However, according to latest reports, the project was expected to be completed far ahead of schedule. The total fund approved is Rs. 8,240 crore and includes the development costs, three developmental flights, essential facility establishment, Programme Management and Launch Campaign. The development of NGLV will enable national and commercial missions including launch of human spaceflight missions to Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Lunar/inter-planetary exploration missions along with communication and earth observation satellite constellations to Low Earth Orbit that will benefit the entire space ecosystem in the country. This project will boost the Indian space ecosystem in terms of capability and capacity...////...