Experiment with indigenous technology

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

SRIHARIKOTA, APRIL 18. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), successfully launched from the Sriharikota range (SHAR) today, was tracked by four ground stations from as far as Indonesia to Brunei right from lift-off. A C-band transponder on the vehicle helped ground-based radars track it.

The complete telemetry and tracking coverage from lift-off to satellite injection was provided by four ground stations at the SHAR and ``down range stations'' at Port Blair, Brunei and Biak in Indonesia. These stations were networked with the Sriharikota centre for the launch, to provide `real-time' data.

In the next few weeks, the performance of the major new elements of the GSLV - the cryogenic stage, the liquid strap- on stages, the larger heat shield and the vented inter-stage - will come under close scrutiny. The cryogenic upper stage forms the critical technology.

Also watched closely will be the performance propulsion systems, making up as much as 80 per cent of the launch vehicle's weight. Because of their sheer size, the systems exert a huge influence on the vehicle's design.

The three-stage, ``complex'' GSLV, which ``enhances our capability in launch vehicles,'' took 10 years to build. The project faced quite a few hurdles ranging from U.S. technology sanctions and cost overruns to Russian ambivalence over the supply of the appropriate cryogenic engine technology.

The Rs. 1,400-crore project, which includes financial provisions for two more flights, is expected to enable India place its INSAT class of satellites in orbit.

Taking advantage of the experimental nature of the flight and its payload, the GSAT-1, built at the ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, also tries out a few indigenously developed technologies, for the first time. ``We are trying out quite a few unique, cost-effective new technologies in GSAT such as ten Newton Reaction Control Thrusters, Fast Recovery Star Sensors and Heat Pipe Radiator Panels,'' says Dr.P.S.Nair, project director, GSAT.

The satellite will be used to demonstrate added capabilities in digital audio broadcast, internet services, compressed digital TV experiments and developmental communication.

Once the performance of these systems are validated on the flight, they will be used in the ISRO operational satellites, the one-tonne Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites and the two- tonne multi-purpose Indian National Satellites (INSAT) series.

It will be ready for operations within a week, the ISRO chairman, Dr. K. Kasturirangan said. Telemetry confirmation had been received from Biak station (Indonesia) that the spacecraft's health was normal and all systems were functioning well.

Dr. P.S. Goel, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, said the apogee firing to set the satellite in the desired orbit would begin at 7.31 a.m. from the Master Control Facility, Hassan, in Karnataka. The satellite will have a life of about three years.

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