Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh: As countdown begins, feverish work is underway at India's space port in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota as the Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO prepares for a landmark launch of its heavy rocket, the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The rocket had suffered a spectacular back-to-back failure three years ago forcing the abortion of the launch at the last minute.
For the second time, India will be using an Indian-made cryogenic engine while launching the advanced communications satellite. In its last attempt in August, it had a near-fatal mishap when a fuel leak was detected in the nick of time and the launch stopped an hour before liftoff.
ISRO scientists had found to their horror that about 750 kilograms of highly inflammable and explosive fuel had actually leaked out from the second stage.
"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 now we have now done our best expect it to be successful flight," K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO told NDTV.
If all goes well, this trial by fire could mark the first steps towards India's entry into the multi-billion dollar commercial launcher market on a fully indigenous large rocket. A sophisticated new Indian technology called the cryogenic engine will be flown for the second time.
The India-made Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle powers the rocket, standing almost 50 meters tall - as high as a 17-storey building - and weighing 415 tons or as much 80 full grown elephants.
It is a three-stage rocket.
At liftoff, the first stage ignites using one of the world's largest solid fuel motors. The first stage separates and the second stage powered by a liquid engine takes over while the heat shield is shed.
At about 130 kilometers above the earth, the second stage separates and the all-important cryogenic engine takes over. Using cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as fuel, the engine helps launch heavier satellites into space. After a 17-minute flight the satellite is expected to be put into its designated orbit above earth.
India's larger rocket has had only two successful flights; this will be the eight time it is being flown in 13 years. Four years ago on April 15, 2010, a disaster struck the GSLV program on when an India-made cryogenic engine failed.
Then on Christmas Day the same year, a rocket was destroyed in mid-air as ISRO lost its control.
In these four years, ISRO has built new facilities to test the cryogenic engine, redesigned some of the crucial components and has finally mustered courage to have another go. It took India more than 20 years to develop this cryogenic engine technology which was denied to India.
The Rs 350-crore mission, which will hoist a sophisticated experimental communications satellite, is a gentle reminder that space remains a risky business and that denial of technology failed to work against India.
For the second time, India will be using an Indian-made cryogenic engine while launching the advanced communications satellite. In its last attempt in August, it had a near-fatal mishap when a fuel leak was detected in the nick of time and the launch stopped an hour before liftoff.
"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 now we have now done our best expect it to be successful flight," K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO told NDTV.
Advertisement
The India-made Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle powers the rocket, standing almost 50 meters tall - as high as a 17-storey building - and weighing 415 tons or as much 80 full grown elephants.
Advertisement
At liftoff, the first stage ignites using one of the world's largest solid fuel motors. The first stage separates and the second stage powered by a liquid engine takes over while the heat shield is shed.
Advertisement
India's larger rocket has had only two successful flights; this will be the eight time it is being flown in 13 years. Four years ago on April 15, 2010, a disaster struck the GSLV program on when an India-made cryogenic engine failed.
Advertisement
In these four years, ISRO has built new facilities to test the cryogenic engine, redesigned some of the crucial components and has finally mustered courage to have another go. It took India more than 20 years to develop this cryogenic engine technology which was denied to India.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Our Future Couldn't Be Brighter": Sunita Williams On US Sending Indian To Space How A Maldivian Woman Spurning Kerala Cop Led To Fake ISRO Espionage Case ISRO Has Etched Shiv Shakti Point, Tricolour On Moon: Jagdeep Dhankhar Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Shooter Had Trump's Face Right In Middle Of Crosshairs, Shows New Video Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.