CHENNAI, July 4: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing itself up for the launch of the jinxed GSLV Mission using its own cryogenic engine next month.
In a brief chat, after inaugurating a three-day International Conference on the Impact of Climate Change on Food, Energy and Environment (ICCFEE-2013), organised by the Sathyabama University, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Director Dr S Ramakrishnan said GSLV-D5, fitted with India’s own cryogenic engine, would launch a communication satellite GSAT-14 from the SDSC Centre in Sriharikota next month.
This would be the first GSLV mission for ISRO in three years after the twin failure in 2010.
The First Stage of the three stage GSLV vehicle comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-ons. The Second stage (GS2) was liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) was the cryo stage.
He said all the ground tests were completed and the indigenous cryogenic engine would be integrated with the launch vehicle tomorrow.
‘The cryo stage, the second one developed by ISRO after the flight test of the first stage failed on April 15, 2010, is ready. The results of the ground tests conducted at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendragiri was successfull,” Dr Ramakrishnan said.
‘The flight acceptance tests were carried out for 200 seconds. We are satsified with the tests and the cryo engine has been sent to the SHAR Range. It will be integrated with GSLV-D5 tomorrow,’ he added.
On the modifications carried out in the second engine in the wake of the failure of the first engine in GSLV-D3 mission, which could not place the GSAT-4 satellite in the orbit, Dr Ramakrishnan said some connected sub-systems in the fuel booster turbo pump were modified.
‘After analysing the failure, we had modified the design of the fuel booster turbo pumps and it was tested successfully,” he added.
The cro stage consists of eight tonne thrust engine and 12.5 tonnes of propellants.
It was a story of mixed luck for ISRO as far as the GSLV was concerned as two of its previous launches ended up in failure.
After the flight test of India’s own cryo engine failed on April 15, 2010, the next GSLV-F06 mission (using Russian cryo stage) to place GSAT-5P satellite on Christmas Day the same year was aborted after the vehicle veered off from the trajectory due to failure of connectors.
In all ISRO had tasted success in four GSLV missions of the total seven missions it had carried out so far.
The first three missions were GSLV-D1 (GSAT-1), GSLV-D2 (GSAT-2) and GSLV-F01 EDUSAT (GSAT-3) were successful.
The next mission GSLV-F02 carrying INSAT-4C failed, but the GSLV-F04 that carried INSAT-4CR was successful before the twin failures in 2010.
About the GSLV-Mk-III vehicle which was under preparation, Dr Ramakrishnan said the tests were being carried out at the SHAR range.
The GSLV-Mark III was planned sometime in January next year. It was conceived and designed to make ISRO fully self-reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class that weighs 4,500 to 5,000 kg.
It would also enhance the capability of the country to be a competitive player in the multi-million dollar commercial launch market.
The vehicle envisages multi-mission launch capability for GTO, LEO, Polar and intermediate circular orbits.
GSLV-Mk III is designed to be a three stage vehicle, with 42.4 m tall with a lift off weight of 630 tonnes.
The First stage comprises two identical S200 Large Solid Booster (LSB) with 200 tonne solid propellant, that are strapped on to the second stage, the L110 re-startable liquid stage.
The third stage is the C25 LOX/LH2 cryo stage. Realisation of GSLV Mk-III will help ISRO to put heavier satellites into orbit. (UNI)
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