• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a proposal of the Department of Space to build a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) capable of placing heavier payloads in orbits.

• It will be used for operating missions to the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

• The current fleet of launch vehicles in ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) are capable of carrying payloads of up to 10 tonnes to the Low Earth Orbit and four-tonne payload to the Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit.

• The development of 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.

• 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 with a target of eight years for the completion of the development phase.

• The total fund approved is Rs 8,240.00 crore and includes the development costs, three developmental flights, essential facility establishment, programme management and launch campaign.

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