Sriharikota: ISRO recently achieved a landmark milestone after launching the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F05 rocket from Sriharikota on Sept 8, 2016.
The vehicle used an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage engine to place the heavy weather satellite INSAT 3DR into the orbit. The total weight of the satellite is around 2800 kg and it is not easy to launch heavy satellites from Indian soil.
According to sources, the successful launch of India’s weather satellite has increased the reputation of ISRO to a large extent in the international satellite launch market worth $300 billion.
India joins elite group of nations
As of writing this, only US, Russia, France, Japan and China have designed and developed the cryogenic engine technology to lift such heavy satellites. With the recent successful launch of over two-tonne satellite, India is in the elite group of nations, which has the required capability to place heavy satellites in the geostationary orbit.
On the specifications front, the GSLV-F05 rocket is around 161 foot tall. Initially, GSLV faced troubles. However, after initial testing, the space agency managed to achieve success for the third consecutive time.
The GSLV flight comprises of a solid-fuelled first stage motor and four strap-on Vikas engines. It consumes a mixture of liquid hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide powered the initial two minutes of the ascent.
GSLV with cryogenic engine decreases total launch time
The main attraction of the GSLV-F05 flight is that it will take only 17 minutes for the rocket with cryogenic engine to release the satellite into the planned orbit of Earth.
51 foreign satellites launched
With Mangalyaan finding the place in Times Magazine and after the Textbook launch of Chandrayaan, foreign countries have approached ISRO for the help in the launch of the new satellite. Meanwhile, ISRO has already launched 51 foreign satellites.
Soon after the launch, ISRO chairman, Kiran Kumar revealed that they are planning to launch two more GSLV-MkII missions by the end of 2016. Moreover, ISRO is developing a C-25 engine that is capable of launching more than 4000 kg satellites.
