thestringshredder
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It's time to let ISRO go full throttle
India has reached a milestone in rocketry with the successful launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has demonstrated its capability in a critical area of space technology - cryogenics - opening the door for more ambitious missions, including a manned mission.
The development of the launch vehicle now enables it to carry heavier payloads in a cost-effective manner. Cryogenic engines allow this to a great extent and so remain a closely-guarded technology.
The Russians gave us cryogenic engines for GSLV in the initial phase, but they never parted with the know-how. They supplied ready-to-use engines. Even for such a commercial deal, the Americans evoked the provisions of the Missile Technology Control Regime and imposed sanctions on space agencies of the two countries. The only option for India was to develop its own capability in this area.
In fact, the ISRO had made plans to develop an indigenous cryogenic engine in the 1980s, but it could not garner enough funding as the launch programme was still in its infancy.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was yet to become the workhorse rocket which it is now, with a series of consecutive successful launches.
The spy scandal that rocked the space agency in late 1990s also cast a shadow over the cryogenic development programme, though space agency insiders say that the scientist falsely implicated in the scandal was not in charge of the crucial project.
When Russian engines were imported and deployed in GSLV 2001 onwards, it turned out that they were sub-optimal and not up to the mark.
The first test of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic engine in April 2010 also ended in failure.
The space agency did a commendable job in learning from these failed missions. An end-to-end design review of GSLV and the cryogenic upper stage was carried out, and significant changes made.
It is time now to look forward, but certainly not to rest.
The GSLV launched on Sunday can carry satellites weighing up to two tonnes. Communication satellites like INSAT weighing up to four tonnes need more advanced rockets to inject them into space. The GSLV Mark III is now under development.
In order to carry a manned module into space, GSLV will have to be 'man rated'. The landing of an unmanned mission to the moon will also need a robust GSLV.
For all these future missions, ISRO will have to conduct a couple of more successful test launches of GSLV and simultaneously work on advanced versions, as well as future technologies like reusable launch vehicles.
Political bosses of ISRO also need to learn from mistakes in the cryogenic trail and not sit over proposals.
The manned mission project - slated to cost Rs 12,500 crore - should be sanctioned without delay. We have already lost five years on this project. As regards cost, it is not a big price for a prestigious technology project when we can afford to purchase a 25-year old refurbished aircraft carrier for $2.3 billion.
Link - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom.../QUANTUM-LEAP-Its-time-let-ISRO-throttle.html
India has reached a milestone in rocketry with the successful launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has demonstrated its capability in a critical area of space technology - cryogenics - opening the door for more ambitious missions, including a manned mission.
The development of the launch vehicle now enables it to carry heavier payloads in a cost-effective manner. Cryogenic engines allow this to a great extent and so remain a closely-guarded technology.
The Russians gave us cryogenic engines for GSLV in the initial phase, but they never parted with the know-how. They supplied ready-to-use engines. Even for such a commercial deal, the Americans evoked the provisions of the Missile Technology Control Regime and imposed sanctions on space agencies of the two countries. The only option for India was to develop its own capability in this area.
In fact, the ISRO had made plans to develop an indigenous cryogenic engine in the 1980s, but it could not garner enough funding as the launch programme was still in its infancy.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was yet to become the workhorse rocket which it is now, with a series of consecutive successful launches.
The spy scandal that rocked the space agency in late 1990s also cast a shadow over the cryogenic development programme, though space agency insiders say that the scientist falsely implicated in the scandal was not in charge of the crucial project.
When Russian engines were imported and deployed in GSLV 2001 onwards, it turned out that they were sub-optimal and not up to the mark.
The first test of GSLV with indigenous cryogenic engine in April 2010 also ended in failure.
The space agency did a commendable job in learning from these failed missions. An end-to-end design review of GSLV and the cryogenic upper stage was carried out, and significant changes made.
It is time now to look forward, but certainly not to rest.
The GSLV launched on Sunday can carry satellites weighing up to two tonnes. Communication satellites like INSAT weighing up to four tonnes need more advanced rockets to inject them into space. The GSLV Mark III is now under development.
In order to carry a manned module into space, GSLV will have to be 'man rated'. The landing of an unmanned mission to the moon will also need a robust GSLV.
For all these future missions, ISRO will have to conduct a couple of more successful test launches of GSLV and simultaneously work on advanced versions, as well as future technologies like reusable launch vehicles.
Political bosses of ISRO also need to learn from mistakes in the cryogenic trail and not sit over proposals.
The manned mission project - slated to cost Rs 12,500 crore - should be sanctioned without delay. We have already lost five years on this project. As regards cost, it is not a big price for a prestigious technology project when we can afford to purchase a 25-year old refurbished aircraft carrier for $2.3 billion.
Link - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom.../QUANTUM-LEAP-Its-time-let-ISRO-throttle.html
