HISTORY OF SUCCESS IN ISROS 2013 DIARY WITH

INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED GSLV AFTER @20 YEARS

5th JAN, 2014: GSAT-14 launch through GSLV D5 by ISRO at Satish Dhawan Space Centre
completed 3 phases successfully.

With successful launch of GSLV D5, India joined the CRYO CLUB (a spacefaring agency for
cryogenic engine satellites) and stands as 6th space agency to master this advance scientific
technology in world after U.S, RUSSIA, CHINA, FRANCE and JAPAN.

At last, after, two decades of hard work and never give up spirit of our scientists brought fruitful
results and the achievement of this indigenously developed cryogenic engine places India in list
of countries launching load of weighing more than 2 tons in orbit and we are bringing it with cost
effectively.

CRYOGENICS is a physical science deals with very low temperatures. It involves the study of
how to produce and how material behaves at those very low temperatures. Cryogenic research is
necessary in space technology to carry heavy loads into orbit. This cryogenic engine uses liquid
H2 and O2 at -1830 C and -2530 C respectively with more efficiency producing more energy for
1kg of fuel compared to other engines.

The GSLV D3 with indigenously developed cryogenic engine was failed when tested in APRIL,
2010. Again in AUG 2013, due to fuel leak in second phase of launch vehicle, the launch of
GSAT-14 was called off. After continuous failures, ISRO named it as Naughty Boy.

With victory on JAN 2014, ISRO now is capable of launching its satellites into Geo stationary
orbit from its shores with heavy payloads. Previously it had to launch its satellites through
European ARIANE rockets mostly from South America. Also the cost of expenditure will reduce
to such an extent with this technology that for example it accosted around Rs.500 crores or more
to launch a communication satellite weighing 3.5 tons through ARIANE rocket which may cost
around Rs.220 crores to launch same with self designed and built launch vehicle. The Hundred
crores of rupees of foreign currency exchange can be saved. Last year, INSAT 3D, an advanced
meteorological satellite was launched through ARIANE rocket which costed Rs.490 crores.
Total expenditure for GSLV latest launch was Rs.365 crores.

GSAT-14 is ISROs 23rd Indian communication satellite sent to geo stationary orbit to enhance
the efficiency of transponders. It carries 12 transponders for communication and broadcasting
uses. It is the first domestic satellite to be placed in orbit by GSLV-MK II launcher (GSLV-MK
III is underway with Indian built cryogenic engine of higher capacity than GSLV-MARK II i.e.,
4 tons).

GSLV rockets success will mean immense savings. GSLV attempts eight launches till date. Out
of which, 3 have been successful and 4 have failed, one was partial failure. There are 3 phases
and third phase have cryogenic engine as upper stage using LH2 and LOX. India had got 7
cryogenic engines from Russia. Six are been used.

Russia signed the deal with India to give 5 stages of Cryogenics and technology in 1991. But U.S
pressurized Russia to back the 1991 deal. In 1975, U.S banned India from technology as India
secretly tested the nuclear missile which was essentially needed that time to guard country from
the neighboring countries. The action of testing nuclear missile was opposed by U.S, Canada and
Pakistan. In 1987, America made a law which restricted the nuclear technology to share or
transfer to other countries as it may be misused for nuclear weapon development and this treaty
(informal and more of partnership) also applicable to cryogenic technology as it is used in
nuclear weapons. The treaty is known as Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Under
this, India was restricted for any technology transfer in from of information, software or
hardware by technology advanced countries. Setback of 1991 deal with Russian company
GLAVCOSMOS led to take the decision of self designed cryogenic engine development.
Compelled to develop the upper stage (cryogenic engine), it started the project in 1994.

With the victory, now India seeks to attract foreign satellite launches due to it competitive cost.
Till now, space technology has been used for nurturing desi developmental needs in areas of
education, health care and rural development and disaster management support. It is now also
concentrating on commercial prospects.

FUTURE PLANS OF ISRO:

With present achievement of GSLV flight, ISRO is planning to launch another

indigenous cryogenic engine GSLV by next year. With that, we will capable of placing
satellites of weighing more than 2 tons into geostationary orbits.
ISRO is to launch GSAT-6, GSAT-7A & GSAT-9 and GISAT (Geo Imaging Satellite)
and CHANDRAYAAN-2.
As part of INDIAN REGIONAL NAVIGATIONAL SATELLITE
SYSTEM(IRNSS) program - expected to be operational by march,2015 and its first
satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in july,2013.Second satellite IRNSS-IV B launch will
be in march,2014 and IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E are on to launch.
ISROs PSLV has successful history of flights. Many countries are seeking to use this
PSLV to launch satellites of various weights. Till now, PLSV launched Germany satellite
of 800kilos was the heaviest one. Also another 3 Britain satellites weighing 200 kilos are
to be launched by ISRO.
 In coming months, ISRO to test the most advanced GSLV MARK III to place 4 tons of
loads in orbit.
At present, 5.5 tons of communication satellites are in trend in global space market. But
still there is demand for 3.2 to 4.5 ton comm. satellites among some countries around
globe. So there is a chance of marketing opening doors for foreign trade.
HUMAN FLIGHT PROGRAMME and Indian space shuttle.

Some of the fleets achieve by ISRO last year:

ISRO has added other feathers to its hat with successful events of MOM and GSLV-D5
flight.
Moon Mineralogy Mapper-M3 taken by CHANDRAYAAN-1 founded the traces of
water. This got praise from international community.
Both CHANDRAYAAN AND MANGALYAAN (MoM) expedited are low compare to
America and European countries.

India in 6th position next to most advanced technology mastered countries is definitely a
milestone but it has a long way to achieve more. Augmenting the contribution of space programs
and harnessing technology for national development and in peaceful manner are the goal and
focus of ISRO.

Sources:

From INSIHGT program on GSLV success on lok sabha tv and SPOTLIGHT program from prasar
bharathi.
The editorial by prof k.Nageswara rao from regional newspaper.

NAME: M.SAI JYOTHI