The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Development 5 (GSLV-D5...
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Development 5 (GSLV-D5) Mk II from its spaceport at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 4.06 pm Sunday.
A successfull launch was crucial for India to prove the indigenously designed cryogenic engine after its maiden flight failed in 2010.
GSLV orbited GSAT-14 communication satellite built by ISRO for telemedicine and tele-education purposes. The 1,982 kg satellite carries six extended C-band and Ku-band transponders (receivers and transmitters of signals), and two Ka-band becons. The satellite is designed to operate for 12 years.
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| GSAT-14 Satellite |
The current GSLV Mk II version features an indigenous cryogenic stage. The Mk I featured Russian cryo stage. GSLV had eight launches including this, since the maiden launch of Mk I in 2001, three of them failed. The last two launches in 2010, one with indigenous cryogenic engine ended in failure.
With the successful flight test of cryo engine, India entered the cryo club with United States, Russia, France, Japan and China.
The three stage 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 kilo newton.
