Isro to decide on GSLV-D5 launch on 27 December

The flight test of rejuvenated Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) with indigenous cryogenic engine is likely to take place on 5 January from the space port of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, Indian Space Research Organisation said. ISRO’s Mission Readiness Review (MRR) team will meet on 27 December to take a final call on the launch of GSLV-D5. Its mission was aborted at the 11th hour on 19 August, this year due to a fuel leak in its second stage. “We have targeted the launch on 5 January afternoon; MRR team will meet on 27 December to take stock of the readiness and will finalise the date and time for the launch,” ISRO spokesperson Deviprasad Karnik told PTI. [caption id=“attachment_1301475” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  ISRO’s Mission Readiness Review (MRR) team will meet on 27 December to take a final call on the launch of GSLV-D5. AFP[/caption] GSLV-D5 will put the communications satellite GSAT-14 into orbit. All the three stages of the vehicle have already been integrated, Karnik said, adding, the “satellite will be mated with the launch vehicle next week.” He said, “….Everything should be ready by 26 December, MMR team will meet on 27 December. It will review and decide on the launch.” The launch of GSLV-D5 scheduled at 1650 hours on 19 August from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, was called off after a leak was detected in the fuel system of the liquid second stage in pre-launch pressurisation phase on the vehicle, just two hours before lift-off. The propellants were later drained from the cryogenic stage, liquid second stage and the four liquid strap-ons of GSLV-D5 and the vehicle was moved back to the Vehicle Assembly Building in SDSC. Fuel tank made of aluminium alloy called Afnor 7020 tended to develop crack over a period of time and the leak was blamed on it. In response to a question, Karnik said, “It is entirely a new tank this time.” ISRO had then drawn flak from some quarters for using an “old tank” for the second stage as the materials used for building it were “prone for delayed cracks”. It was said have been delivered to ISRO four-years ago then and was to be the last in the series of the kind that ISRO planned to use. GSLV is a three-stage vehicle that is 49 metre tall, with 414 tonne lift-off weight. 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 cryostage. The final/third stage of GSLV is the cryogenic stage, which is more efficient compared to the liquid stage in PSLV, which means that the thrust developed by burning each kg of propellant is higher in cryo engine, which can place larger payloads with higher weight into orbit. PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620 km Sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geo- synchronous transfer orbit (GTO), which puts a limitation on launching heavier communication satellites. GSLV will be capable of launching satellites which are 2000 kg-2500 kg which matches with the GSAT class of communication satellites. India is now compelled to outsource the launch services from abroad which are not a cost effective solution, which is why a proven GSLV launcher is crucial. The successful development of indigenous cryo stage will boost India’s confidence in terms of its self-reliance in the launch capability, according to ISRO officials. PTI