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Indian Space Capabilities

Department of Space
05-June, 2017 20:15 IST
First Developmental Flight of India's GSLV Mk III Successfully launches GSAT-19 Satellite

The first developmental flight (GSLV MkIII-D1) of India's heavy lift launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III was successfully conducted today (June 05, 2017) evening from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota with the launch of GSAT-19 satellite. This was the first orbital mission of GSLV MkIII which was mainly intended to evaluate the vehicle performance including that of its fully indigenous cryogenic upper stage during the flight. Weighing 3136 kg at lift-off, GSAT-19 is the heaviest satellite launched from the Indian soil.

After a twenty five and a half hour smooth countdown, the mission began with the launch of the 640 ton GSLV Mk-III at 5:28 pm IST from the Second Launch Pad as scheduled with the ignition of its two S200 solid strap-on boosters. Following this, the major phases of the flight occurred as scheduled. The upper stage of GSLV MkIII vehicle is a new cryogenic stage (C25) indigenously configured, designed and realised by ISRO. The cryogenic stage used liquid Hydrogen and liquid Oxygen as propellants with a total loading of 28 tons. The stage is powered by a 20 ton thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) operating on ‘gas generator cycle’. The performance of the engine and stage during the mission was as predicted. About sixteen minutes after lift-off, GSAT-19 satellite was successfully placed in orbit.

Soon after its separation from GSLV, the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka assumed control of the satellite. GSAT-19 is a high throughput communication satellite.

In the coming days, GSAT-19 orbit will be raised from its present Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) to the final circular Geostationary Orbit (GSO) by firing the satellite's Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) in stages. During the final phase of this operation, the solar panels and antenna reflectors of the satellite will be deployed. The satellite will be commissioned into service after its positioning in the designated slot in the GSO following in-orbit testing of its payloads.

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President's Secretariat05-June, 2017 18:15 IST
President of India congratulates ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV-MK III

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of the indigenous Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) carrying GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

In a message to Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission & Chairman, ‘ISRO’, the President has said, “My heartiest congratulations to you and the entire team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on the historic launch of the indigenous Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) carrying GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The GSLV-Mk III is the heaviest rocket ever made by India and is capable of carrying the heaviest satellites made till date. The nation is proud of this significant achievement.

Kindly convey my greetings to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others associated with this mission. I wish the ISRO continued success in the coming years”.

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Vice President's Secretariat
05-June, 2017 18:52 IST
Vice President congratulates ISRO team on successful launch of GSLV-Mk III

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the successful launch of GSLV-Mk III carrying GSAT-19 communication satellite. In a message, he said that the successful launch of the indigenously developed heavy lift space vehicle, including the cryogenic stage, demonstrates India’s ability to launch large payloads.

Following is the text of Vice President’s message:

“I offer my congratulations to the Scientists, Engineers and Technicians of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) carrying the GSAT-19 communications satellite, which augments our telecommunications capacity and allows the conduct of several scientific experiments.

The successful launch of the indigenously developed heavy lift space vehicle, including the cryogenic stage, demonstrates India’s ability to launch large payloads and opens up the possibility of increased space exploration and its utilization for the benefit of humanity.

The flawless launch once again showcases India’s capabilities in the field of space sciences and related technologies. I wish ISRO all the very best for the future.”

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Prime Minister's Office
05-June, 2017 18:35 IST
PM congratulates ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission.

“Congratulations to the dedicated scientists of ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission.

The GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission takes India closer to the next generation launch vehicle and satellite capability. The nation is proud,” the Prime Minister said. ***

AKT/SH
 
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Piss poor payload for a rocket this size, other rockets with similar mass carries alot more. What gives?

Progress is always tardy in India.
By the time India reaches certain milestone, its too late already, because there are always new entrants in the field with new hardware.
 
Piss poor payload for a rocket this size, other rockets with similar mass carries alot more. What gives?

India is a developing country and they are doing lots of things for the first time, in short, its still in learning not consolidation mode. It had to encounter lots of brain drain, lack of government empathy especially in regards to R&D funding, maturity of opposition for both major political parties. Furthermore, it’s a democracy, and people with vested interests use judiciary and media to promote their agendas. Some of these things not directly related to your payload comment, however, these things do hinder the intent to do bigger and better things. IMO, India will take another 15-20 years and then they would be position to do things which are truly innovative.
 
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...pad-at-kulasekarapattinam/article18731683.ece

‘Successful launch of GSLV Mk III-D1, a red letter day in space calendar’
THOOTHUKUDI

A study is on for establishing a rocket launch pad at Kulasekarapattinam, said P.V. Venkitakrishnan, Director of ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, here on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at Thoothukudi airport, he said the successful launch of GSLV Mk III-D1 was a red letter day in the space calendar. More importantly, the rocket achieved success in its maiden launch, unlike SLV, ASLV and PSLV that met encountered snags.

Referring to the role of Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex in the launch, he said all test beds were available in Mahendragiri and equipment such as turbo pump, fuel and oxygen pumps and gas generator were assembled and the engine was integrated before executing the hot test.

Currently, a semi cryo engine was being developed in Mahendragiri and it could be made operational by using purified and highly refined kerosene. Scientists, he said, were planning to replace liquid hydrogen with the isrosene (refined kerosene). The semi cryo engine would be integrated in the test bed and would successfully emerge in three or four years, he said.

Moreover, he said soft landing test for Chandrayaan-2 was in progress at Mahendragiri.
 
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...t-for-india/article18717513.ece?homepage=true

The heavy-lift GSLV Mark III rocket, slated to be launched by space agency ISRO tomorrow, would open up opportunities for India to launch 4-ton class of satellites of foreign countries, according to a senior space scientist.

Tomorrow’s launch of the first developmental flight of the rocket is a “great milestone” as ISRO is almost doubling the capacity to launch satellite from 2.2-2.3 tons to 3.5-4 tons, former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said.

“Today if India has to launch communication satellites beyond 2.3 tons, we have to go abroad (to launch them). We (will) have self-reliance in launching communication satellites (once GSLV Mk III becomes operational), and also we will be able to attract foreign customers,” he said.

“It’s rather a simpler vehicle, and a vehicle with better payload fraction. And it’s going to be future workhorse vehicle (of ISRO),” he said.

Mr. Radhakrishnan was closely associated with the GSLV Mk III programme, approved in 2000, as director of VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) and then chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is now an adviser to ISRO.

“We are getting into the next level of capacity. PSLV is a stable line at the moment. GSLV is better than that. Here we are getting into a vehicle which is going to be more cost-effective.

“And there is a lot of opportunity to launch communication satellites of India as well those of other countries because 4-ton is a good range for communication satellites,” he told PTI in a telephonic interview.

“It should open up (international market for ISRO). After a couple of developmental flights to establish, I am sure there will be opportunities for launching even foreign communication satellites,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

GSLV Mk III can launch normal communication satellites that are in the market.

“If you look at the global communication satellite scenario, it has gone up to 6 to 6.5 tons at the moment...that’s the high power satellite but much of the volume is used for...and mass also for propellants for keeping long life of satellite.”


“If the satellites switch over to electric propulsion from chemical propulsion, the mass could be kept at 4-ton level. From that scenario, GSLV has a long operational life and there are opportunities for launching communication satellites of India and other countries,” he said.

“Comparable vehicle (for GSLV Mk III) today is Ariane-6 which is getting developed in Europe. That’s for about 6.5 tons. Once chemical propulsion of the satellites is replaced by the electric propulsion for which work is going on, then they will also come down in mass.

“GSLV Mk III will be a candidate for them (foreign customers) to consider. Mass is an issue for communication satellites. People are trying to bring in electric propulsion,” the eminent scientist said.
 
Piss poor payload for a rocket this size, other rockets with similar mass carries alot more. What gives?
I smell something like burning
Please check out your surroundings.

ISRO is in advanced stages of semicryogenic Engine which will exponential reduce rocket weight and increase in loading capacity.
It'll Lift-off by 2020.
 
ISRO is in advanced stages of semicryogenic Engine which will exponential reduce rocket weight and increase in loading capacity.
It'll Lift-off by 2020.

So semi cryogenic = lox/rp-1?. All the best to Indian scientists then
 
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