New heights: ISRO’s second triumph with the successful launch of GSLV Mk-III

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ended the year 2014 on a high note with the successful launch of the 630-tonne Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mk III (GSLV Mk III).

The rocket also carried a ‘cup cake’ shaped crew module capable of accommodating two or three astronauts for a manned launch in the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO scientists on the successful launch. He tweeted, the “successful launch of GSLV Mk-III is yet another triumph of brilliance & hard work of our scientists. Congrats to them for the efforts.”

The mission will help the space organisation put heavier satellites into orbit and help India become a competitive player in the multi-billion dollar commercial launch market.

It was the second successful mission of the GSLV rocket in the last four years. In 2010, two GSLV rockets failed in their missions. In January 2014, a GSLV rocket placed a communication satellite in orbit.

Today’s mission is a major boost to India’s space programme after the successful launch of Mars Orbiter last November and an older version of GSLV rocket powered by ISRO-built cryogenic engine in January this year.

Through the launch today, India will now save foreign exchange (about ₹500 crore) by launching heavy communication satellites. Currently, India launches its heavy communication satellites through Ariane rockets of Arianespace.

The rocket roared into the sky precisely at 9.30 am from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre here. ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan said that it was another text book launch.

India started the development of the rocket a decade ago and today completed the first experimental flight.

The performance of the solid and the liquid engines were as expected. The unmanned crew module splashed into Bay of Bengal as expected, he said from the mission control room.

The main purpose of the ₹155-crore mission was to test the rocket’s atmospheric flight stability carrying a four-tonne payload.

It will validate the rocket’s structural integrity during its flight and also test the ability of the crew module to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere with thermal resistance, parachute deployment in cluster formation, aero braking system and apex cover separation procedures.

It was designed to be a three stage/engine rocket with a lift off weight of 630 tonnes.

The first stage comprised two identical S-200 large solid boosters with 200 tonne solid propellant that are strapped on to the second stage, the L110 re-startable liquid stage.

The rocket that flew today did not have the third stage cryogenic engine which is under development and would take around two years to be ready.

A cryogenic engine provides more thrust — than solid and liquid fuelled — for every kg of propellant burnt.

After five minutes of the launch, the rocket spat out the 3.7-tonne crew module at an altitude of 126 km.

The module descended at a high speed moderated remotely by manipulating its on-board ‘thrusters’ till 80 km above the earth.

S Somanath, Project Director, GSLV Mk III, said the crew module splashed down in the Bay of Bengal near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, within 25 km of the intended spot.

At an altitude of around 15 km, the module’s apex cover separated and the parachutes were deployed.

A naval ship which is tracking signals from the module will pick it up. The module will be brought to Sriharikota and later taken to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala.

“India now has a new launch vehicle. The payload capability of the Indian rocket has been enhanced significantly,” he said from the mission control room.

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