Chandrayaan-3 uses different types of fuel in its various stages and modules:
- The launch vehicle LVM3 (also known as GSLV Mk-III) uses a combination of solid and liquid fuels:
- The first stage uses solid fuel called HTPB (Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) in its solid rocket boosters.
- The second stage uses liquid fuel.
- The third and final stage uses a cryogenic engine powered by liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer
- The propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3, which carries the lander and rover to lunar orbit, uses a bi-propellant liquid propulsion system with Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) as fuel and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON3) as oxidizer for its engines
- Additionally, the propulsion module is powered by two Radioisotope Heating Units (RHUs) that use nuclear energy for power generation, helping maintain operational temperature and power in space
In summary, Chandrayaan-3's launch vehicle stages use solid fuel (HTPB), liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the cryogenic stage, while the propulsion module uses MMH and MON3 as liquid propellants, supplemented by nuclear- powered RHUs for thermal and power support.
