GSLV-D5 marks India’s mastery over indigenous cryogenic technology

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) successful launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-D5, on Sunday at 4.18pm from Sriharikota marks a significant achievement of India's prowess over indigenous cryogenic technology.
"It is a tough job to understand and master cryogenic technology. It is ultimate and we have put in a lot of efforts and made it possible. Today, we can say and prepare with more confidence for the next mission of C-25 stage with 25 tonnes of propellant and 20 tonnes of cryogenic engine thrust for the GSLV MK-3 D-1 mission in early 2017. The high-end cryogenic engine is slated for completion and testing by 2015," Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director S Ramakrishnan told TOI minutes after the lift-off of GSLV-D5.
It's indeed a memorable day for launch vehicle community, to realize this cryogenic technology and master it as it is the first successful attempt, he said. Last year, on August 19, an anomaly in the second stage of liquid propellant of GSLV-D5 prompted Isro to call off the launch and it could not go beyond ignition. It's the knowledge of the entire team that could analyze the errors and rectify it at the shortest time possible, he said.
Isro chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan hailed the efforts of scientists of Isro establishments including Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) for its mastery over liquid propellant systems and the VSSC for its reliable launch vehicle. "From understanding cryogenic technology, the Isro scientists have mastered it and it was made possible through the strong leadership of UR Rao who had envisioned of India having its own cryogenic technology," he said.
The GSLV-D5 has precisely injected the GSAT-14 satellite into the orbit to synergize the benefits of satellite technology in telecommunication and telemedicine and it is an important day for science and technology, especially space technology, he said. "It is a realization of the efforts of scientists for the last 20 years and the excruciating efforts of the last three years have fructified," he said.
GSLV mission project director K Sivan said its memorable that the cryogenic technology has given wings to GSLV. "After 1000 days of hard work by the VSSC, LPSC and the entire Isro team, the naughty boy GSLV has become obedient for a precise launch that the satellite was put just 40 metres within the 179km perigee and only 49km of the 36,000km apogee," he said.


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