Sriharikota:
Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation are keeping their fingers crossed as they prepare for the lift-off of ISRO's larger rocket, the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV, from the space port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The GSLV program suffered twin back-to-back failures three years ago and its last launch in August was aborted minutes before lift-off. The countdown for today's launch, scheduled for 4:18 pm, is progressing normally.
An India-made cryogenic engine powers the GSLV that stands almost 50 meters tall (as high as a 17-storey building) and weighs a whopping 415 tons (as much 80 full grown elephants). The three-stage rocket will launch an advanced communications satellite. The mission will cost Rs 350 crore.
India is using the indigenous cryogenic engine for the second time. If all goes well, this trial could mark the first step of India's entry into the multi-billion dollar commercial launcher market on a fully indigenous large rocket.
On August 19, 2013, a major mishap was averted and the launch of the GSLV was aborted 74 minutes before lift-off after ISRO scientists found that about 750 kilograms of highly inflammable and explosive fuel had leaked out in the second stage. ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan had described it as a "large leak" and had said that "timely detection and quick action" averted a fire.
"We have had a mixed bag of results of the GSLV in the earlier seven flights. All necessary corrections have been done on the GSLV and the cryogenic engine. We have done our best and expect it to be a successful flight," the ISRO chairman told NDTV.
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At lift-off, the first stage ignites using one of the world's largest solid fuel motors and strap-on boosters. The first stage separates and the second stage powered by a liquid engine takes over while the heat shield is shed.
At about 130 kilometer altitude above the Earth, the second stage separates and the all-important cryogenic engine takes over. Using very cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as fuel, this special engine helps launch heavier satellites into space. After a 17-minute flight, the satellite is expected to be put into its designated orbit above the Earth.
India's larger rocket has had only two successful flights and this will be the eighth time it is being flown in 13 years. Three years ago, a double disaster struck the GSLV program. On April 15, 2010, the first flight with an India-made cryogenic engine failed as a crucial pump jammed and then on Christmas Day the same year, the rocket was destroyed in mid-air as ISRO lost control of it.
ISRO has since built new facilities to test the cryogenic engine, redesigned some of the crucial components and has finally mustered courage to have another go, confirming its never say die attitude.
It took India more than 20 years to develop this cryogenic engine technology which was denied to it. The big launch is a gentle reminder that denial of technology failed to work against India.