Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F05 flight on September 8. The launch, which was as per the textbook precision has added yet another feather to its cap. The flight carried an advanced weather communication satellite on board. The vehicle used the indigenously developed Cryogenic engine to put the 2800 kg satellite into its orbit.
Even though the launch was scheduled for 4.10PM, it was delayed by 40minutes due to a technical snag. However, engineers were quick to rectify the fault and the flight was blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, around 120 km from Chennai.
India has an ability to carry two-tonne satellite
With this launch, India has become one of the few select countries in the India to be equipped with an ability to carry a huge satellite weighing up to two tonnes. The placement of the satellite in the geostationary orbit provided a huge impetus to the country’s space program.
India mastered cryogenic engine
The successful launch of the GSLV signals the fact that India has really mastered the art of the cryogenic engine usage. The system is quite complex that it requires plenty of manpower to design and build the system.
Commenting on the launch, ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar disclosed that several missions, including one to the Venus and the moon (Chandrayaan-II), are in the offing. With the organization developing a space shuttle too, this is indeed an exciting time not only for ISRO and its brilliant scientists but also the country.
Each failure was stepping stone to success
Borrowed from French space, ISRO used every failure as a stepping stone to reach this stage. After the recent launch, ISRO officials spoke about the GSLV journey and the efforts they took to reach this level. According to sources, ISRO is developing C-25 and would be twice as powerful as the current one. The GSLV-MK-III is also scheduled for launch in December 2016.
There is a huge demand for the launch of communication satellites since more countries and universities want their own satellites in orbit. However, there is not enough country in the world to undertake the test.
With the launch of GSLV, India is capable of providing competitive and friendly communication satellite launching facilities. The overall size of the satellite business is about $330 million worldwide. However, the services segment account for $5 billion.
