GSLV on launch pad The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch Geo synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV) with ...
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| GSLV on launch pad |
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch Geo synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV) with its indigenous cryogenic engine in June this year.
S. Ramakrishnan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),said ISRO had done extensive review of what went wrong in the cryogenic stage in the Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle's (GSLV) which failed. “We also did a detailed analysis of the booster pump which failed during the mission”, he said.
Pointing out that ISRO had already conducted one of the crucial tests at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendragiri, Ramakrishnan said they would soon do the high altitude test in vacuum to check the engine’s stability in upper space.
GSLV, India’s launch
vehicle for communication satellites, is a 3-stage vehicle with solid,
liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems. The forthcoming GSLV-D5 vehicle
carrying 2018 kg GSAT-14 will have the configuration (4 L40H+S139) +
L37.5H + CUS-12 + 3.4 m diameter payload fairing. All the
recommendations from Failure Analysis Committees of GSLV-F06 and GSLV-D3
have been incorporated and implemented.
Modifications in Fuel Booster
Turbo Pump (FBTP) and Oxidiser Booster Turbo Pump (OBTP) were carried
out along with improvements in Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) elements. The
CUS lower shroud was redesigned and strengthened. Wind tunnel
configuration was modified by extending its length. The lanyard
connector mounting bracket was relocated from the lower shroud to truss
member.
GSLV-D5 aerodynamic characterisation
was revisited.Force measurements, Steady and Unsteady Pressure
measurements and aero elastic tests were conducted using wind tunnel
models at National Aerospace Laboratory, Bangalore and Glavkosmos, Russia. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out
in-house for incremental effects on protrusion, overall aerodynamic load
distribution and distribution on protrusions.
Out of seven GSLV flights from 2001,four have failed.It had two failed launches in 2010.
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C12 Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage of GSLV-D5 |
All the motor segments of
S139 stage were realised and cleared for flight. All the four L40 stages
are positioned at SDSC, SHAR. GS2 stage is under preparation at LPSC
Mahendragiri Facility (LMF). Assembly of cryogenic flight stage is in
advanced stage of completion after successful completion of acceptance
test and post test inspection of flight engine at LPSC Mahendragiri. To
demonstrate cryogenic engine ignition under vacuum condition,
preparation for the test in High Altitude Test (HAT) facility at LPSC
Mahendragiri is progressing well. In parallel, assembly of GSLV-D5 at
Vehicle assembly building of Second Launch Pad commenced on January 31,
2013 and the launch is targeted for June 2013.
GSLV is 49 m tall, with 414 tonne lift off
weight. It has a maximum diameter of 3.4 m at the payload fairing.
First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40)
strap-ons. Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage (GS3)
is a cryo stage.The vehicle develops a lift off thrust of 6573 KN.It
can place a payload of 2000–2,500 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO).
The first flight of GSLV took place from SHAR on April 18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1.
