August 19, 2025
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced the agency’s plan to develop a super-heavy-lift launch vehicle, a monumental step in India’s space program. The announcement was made during the 84th convocation ceremony of Osmania University in Hyderabad, where Narayanan was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science.
The new rocket, often referred to as the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) or, in some contexts, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV), is designed to be a towering structure as high as a 40-storey building, exceeding 120 meters. Its primary capability will be to place a staggering payload of 75,000 kilograms (75 tonnes) into low Earth orbit (LEO). This represents a massive technological leap for India, as Narayanan highlighted by contrasting it with the country’s first launcher, which could carry only 35 kg, and the current LVM3, which has a maximum LEO capacity of 10,000 kg. This new rocket’s lift capability will be comparable to some of the world’s most powerful launch systems, such as SpaceX’s Starship and NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), placing India among the elite group of nations with super-heavy-lift capabilities.
The development of this colossal rocket is critical for India’s future space ambitions. The vehicle is specifically being designed to support the construction of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), India’s planned space station, which is targeted for completion by 2035. Its enormous payload capacity will enable the launch of entire space station modules in single missions, significantly accelerating the station’s assembly. Furthermore, the rocket is envisioned to be a cornerstone for future human spaceflight missions to the Moon and other interplanetary explorations. It will also serve to deploy large constellations of communication and Earth observation satellites, bolstering India’s commercial and strategic space assets.
According to the official plans, the development of the NGLV is a long-term project with a projected timeline of eight years. It will have a three-stage design and is being developed with a focus on reusability, aiming to make launches more cost-effective. The project has received a total fund approval of ₹8,240 crore. The development will involve significant participation from Indian industries, which are expected to invest in manufacturing capacity from the outset, ensuring a seamless transition to the operational phase. Beyond this heavy-lift vehicle, ISRO continues to work on other key projects, including the NAVIC navigation satellite system, the N1 rocket, the Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan), and the launch of communication satellites for both India and international clients like the United States.
