SRIHARIKOTA : After a gap of three years, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to demonstrate indigenous cryogenic engine technology when GSLV-D5, carrying the 1,980 kg advanced communication Satellite GSAT-14, lifts off from this spaceport overlooking the Bay of Bengal, tomorrow. The lift off of the heavyweight launcher is fixed for 1650 hrs. The 29-hour countdown for the launch begins at 1150 hrs today. During the final countdown the rocket would be filled with propellants. While the entire country will be watching with hope that this launch is a success, it will also be crucial for ISRO to demonstrate its technological prowess to join seleted band of nations. It had earlier failed twice in 2010 in its attempts due to technological and operational reasons. The indigenous programme comes in the wake of India being denied such top technologies, post 1998 Pokhran II nuke tests, by the West. The country’s own cryogenic engine and stage, which is now modified, sits on the top of the three-staged vehicle, which is 49 meter tall and weigh 414 tonne.
The first stage GSLV has the S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-on rockets.
The second stage (GS2) is liquid filled engine and the third stage (GS3) is the cryo stage, an ISRO official said. Advanced communication satellite GSAT-14 that would provide important six extended C-band and 6-Ku band transponders, was envisaged to bolster India’s communication transponder capacity. The satellite employs the standard 2000 kg class bus (I-2K) with a power handling capability of around 2.5 KW.
ISRO is betting big on the success of this launch and its scientists have worked extra time in their bid to master the cryo technology.
Ever since the twin failures, the space agency had been on the job conducting extensive testing and large scale modifications have
been made in the cryo stage at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) near Mahendragiri, on the southern tip of the peninsula. The fuel booster turbo pumps that caused the failure earlier, have been modified, the official confirmed.
Among the trials, high altitude testing for the ignition of the cryogenic engine by simulating vacuum conditions on the ground was notable.
ISRO has so far attempted seven GSLV launches (six with Russian cryogenic engines and one with the engine it developed on its own) and four of them have failed. (AGENCIES)
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