India's top space composites manufacturer, LMW Advanced Technology Center (LMW ATC) successfully delivered India's first private industry realised composite Ogive Payload Fairing (OPLF) for GSLV MK-III project to ISRO on Tuesday.

Payload Fairing is the upper most structure in a launch vehicle in which the Satellite is carried to the Orbit. It protects the satellite against aerodynamic loads, thermal loads and acoustic loads. It consists of two halves that are jettisoned at an altitude of 110 kms during the flight. Carbon Composites is the most preferred material for such niche products.

The payload fairing for GSLV MKIII is 5 meters in Dia and 10.75 meters tall with 4 segments like Boat tail, Cylinder, Ogive and Nose cap.

The handing-over ceremony took place at ISRO's Head Quarters in a hybrid mode, and it was attended in person by Dr. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO and Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman & Managing Director, LMW while Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and many other leading scientists of ISRO and expert crew of LMW ATC participated virtually from their respective stations.

Dr. Somanath unveiled the payload fairing virtually while Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu handed over the hardware documents to the Chairman of ISRO.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu said that “LMW will always be there to support ISRO which has put India on the global map. He wished the team at ISRO all the best for their forthcoming endeavours and assured that LMW will provide its complete support to all its future projects.” 

LMW-ATC has played a crucial role in various projects of ISRO. For instance, it has contributed to the success of Chandrayaan-3 by conducting the assembly, structural testing, and non-destructive testing of composite tubular members for the Inter Tank Structure of the C25 Cryogenic Upper Stage.

Very recently in February 2024, it played a significant role in its GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission contributing to the successful launch. The company manufactured the Composite Sandwich Panels and assembled the structure with the Payload Adapter serving as a vital interface between the Launch Vehicle and the Satellite.

Also during February 2024, LMW had delivered a flight critical and complex 4m Día Hat stiffened composite Equipment Bay Shroud that houses sensitive equipment to ISRO for the upcoming much awaited Gaganyaan G1 Mission.

Notably, LMW has also played an important role in SSLV D1 and D2, GSLV F12 & F14 and LVM3 One Web Mission 2 as well.