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MUMBAI: India registered a major gain in space sciences on Sunday when the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) put in orbit a satellite using a indigenous engine.
Powered by home-made cryogenic engine, the country’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle – Development 5 (GSLV-D5) was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 4.18PM.
And 17 minutes later, the GSLV-D5 fired the communication satellite GSAT-14 it was carrying into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
In layman’s language, it works like this: The powerful engine lifts the rocket into space. The rocket carries the satellite. And after reaching a certain height, this rocket fires the satellite it carries into space. And this satellite will be used for transmitters.
Sunday’s achievement follows two failures by India’s space agency ISRO to master the cryogenic rocket to fire heavier GSLV rockets – which carry bigger payloads. The first attempt was made in April 2010 but the cryogenic engine caught fire in seconds. The second attempt in August last year was also aborted because of the leakage from the liquid fuel tank.
Congratulating his team, ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan said, “ “This (success) shows the maturity of the team. We dedicate the proud moment for the country.’‘
Only the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China have mastered this cryogenic engine technology.
What will the new satellite do for India? It will enhance its capabilities of its C and Ku band transmitters.
The GSLV becomes the fourth rocket in India’s space fleet. The country has already mastered the Satellite Launch Vehicle, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
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