The rocket that will power India's future in space is being built today, and it's designed to come back for more.
Payload to LEO
Height
Lift-off Mass
First Stage
Imagine a rocket that launches into space, delivers its payload, and then gracefully returns to Earth, landing upright to be refueled and launched again. This isn't science fiction—it's the fundamental principle behind the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), India's ambitious project to redefine its access to space.
Internally named "Soorya," this three-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle is ISRO's answer to the growing demands of modern space exploration. In a significant move, the Union Cabinet of India approved its development in September 2024, paving the way for a new era in the country's space ambitions 7 .
India's current workhorses—the PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3—have served the nation exceptionally well, establishing self-reliance in launching satellites to orbit. However, they face limitations in capacity and are entirely expendable, meaning each component is used only once, leading to high costs.
The NGLV represents a paradigm shift. It is designed to carry a staggering 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)—three times the current capability of the LVM3—while operating at just 1.5 times the cost 4 5 . This enhanced capability is not for prestige; it is the foundational infrastructure required for India's most ambitious projects: establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and sending an Indian to the moon by 2040 1 4 .
NGLV's reusability dramatically reduces launch costs per kilogram
The Soorya is a masterpiece of engineering, designed for simplicity, robust performance, and bulk production. Its specifications reveal a vehicle built for power and efficiency 1 4 :
93 m
305 feet
1,000 t
1,000,000 kg
3
+ 2 boosters
Partial
First Stage
| Stage/Component | Propellant | Propellant Mass | Engine Cluster | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S200 Boosters (x2) | Solid (HTPB/AP) | 205 t each | Solid S200 | Provide initial thrust at liftoff |
| First Stage (Core) | LOX/Kerosene or LOX/Methane | 475 t | 9 x LME-110 | Reusable, Vertical Landing |
| Second Stage | LOX/Kerosene or LOX/Methane | 120 t | 2 x LME-110 | Sustains flight after booster separation |
| Third Stage (C32) | LOX/LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen) | 32 t | 1 x CE-20 | Precision injection into final orbit |
What truly sets the NGLV apart is its partial reusability. Inspired by global advancements but tailored to Indian needs, the first stage is designed to be recovered and flown multiple times. ISRO is developing Vertical Takeoff, Vertical Landing (VTVL) capability for this purpose, involving advanced navigation systems, steerable grid fins, and deployable landing legs 1 . This reusability is the key to drastically lowering the cost of access to space, with estimates suggesting a target of approximately $1,900 per kg for reusable configurations, compared to $3,000 per kg for expendable ones 4 .
Approved with a budget of ₹8,240 crore (approximately $970 million), the NGLV project is a massive national undertaking slated for completion in 96 months (8 years) from December 2024 1 4 . The plan is methodical and involves extensive collaboration with the private sector to build a robust space industry ecosystem 7 .
A dedicated Third Launch Pad (TLP) is also being constructed at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota to accommodate the unique configuration and needs of this new giant 4 .
Engine testing, materials science, VTVL tests proven through a small-scale test vehicle
Three unmanned flights (D1, D2, D3) to validate integrated vehicle performance and reusability
Maiden launch of the fully-qualified vehicle marking its entry into service
| Phase | Activity | Timeline | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Development | Engine testing, materials science, VTVL tests | 2024 - 2029 | Proven through a small-scale test vehicle (like ADMIRE) |
| Developmental Flights | Three unmanned flights (D1, D2, D3) | ~2031 onwards | Validate integrated vehicle performance and reusability |
| First Operational Flight | Maiden launch of the fully-qualified vehicle | 2034-2035 (planned) | Mark the vehicle's entry into service |
Creating a reusable rocket requires more than just powerful engines; it demands a suite of specialized technologies that allow the vehicle to "feel" its environment, navigate autonomously, and land safely. The following essential systems are at the heart of the NGLV's reusability.
Function: Liquid-fueled, throttleable engines that can restart to control descent and landing.
The precise accelerator and brakes in a high-performance car.
Function: A combination of GPS, inertial sensors, and terrain-relative navigation to guide the stage back to the landing site.
The advanced GPS and sensors in a self-driving car.
Function: Deployable fins made of a grid-like structure that provide aerodynamic control during atmospheric descent.
The flaps and ailerons on an airplane wing, used for steering.
Function: Strong, weight-efficient legs that unfold just before touchdown to absorb the impact and stabilize the stage.
The landing gear of an aircraft, but designed for a vertical descent.
| Technology / System | Function in the NGLV | Real-World Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| LME-110 Engines | Liquid-fueled, throttleable engines that can restart to control descent and landing. | The precise accelerator and brakes in a high-performance car. |
| Advanced Navigation System | A combination of GPS, inertial sensors, and terrain-relative navigation to guide the stage back to the landing site. | The advanced GPS and sensors in a self-driving car. |
| Steerable Grid Fins | Deployable fins made of a grid-like structure that provide aerodynamic control during atmospheric descent. | The flaps and ailerons on an airplane wing, used for steering. |
| Deployable Landing Legs | Strong, weight-efficient legs that unfold just before touchdown to absorb the impact and stabilize the stage. | The landing gear of an aircraft, but designed for a vertical descent. |
| Thermal Protection | Shields the base of the stage and engines from extreme heat generated during re-entry into the atmosphere. | The heat shield on a spacecraft, protecting it from burning up. |
The NGLV is more than just a rocket; it is a strategic asset. It will be the backbone for a wide range of future missions 4 7 :
Ferrying modules and crew to the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
Enabling complex interplanetary missions, including a crewed lunar landing.
Efficiently deploying large constellations of communication and Earth-observation satellites into Low Earth Orbit.
By embracing reusability and modular design, the NGLV, or Soorya, is poised to not just replace India's current fleet but to fundamentally transform the country's approach to spaceflight, making it more sustainable, frequent, and ambitious. It is, in every sense, India's next-generation vehicle to the stars.