Isro to launch 'game changer' rocket in June

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Signalling the next generation launch of Isro, capable of placing four ton satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer orbit (GTO), it is set for the launch of the first developmental flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) -Mark III- D1 on June 5. Boosted with fully indigenous cryogenic upper stage (CUS), this GSLV-MKIII will launch the GSAT-19 communication satellite. The satellite will be integrated and encapsulated by next week.

"A fully indigenous 100 percent `Naadan' cryogenic upper stage (CUS) will boost the launch of GSLV Mark III by June first week and the target is set for June 5. It will place the 3.2 ton GSAT-19 communication satellite in orbit," Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director Dr. K Sivan told TOI. The satellite is getting prepared, it has advanced spacecraft technologies including indigenous Li ion battery, bus subsystem and indigenous Bus bars for power distribution. The satellite will be integrated by next week, he said.

"GSLV-Mark III-D1 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-on boosters, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). When the two solid motors burn it can cause huge sound and to prevent that an Acoustic suppression system will be in place and it is demonstrated," Sivan said.

"The cryogenic upper stage with 20 ton thrust is fully indigenous with subsystems, turbo pump and the cryo tests were completed in the last 1.5 months," Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) director S Somnath said. Though GSLV Mk III launch is designed with a payload of 3.2 ton, it is a four ton class vehicle with a provision to increase it up to seven tons, he said.

The GSAT-19 satellite will carry Ka-band and Ku-band payload along with a Geostationary Radiation Spectrometer (GRASP) payload to monitor and study the nature of the charged particles and influence of space radiation on spacecraft and electronic components.

Listing out the future missions, PSLV-C38 is planned for launch of earth observation satellite Cartosat-2E by June last week, GSLV Mk II for launch of GSAT-6A satellite in September and Chandrayaan-III Moon mission in December this year.

On the concerns by a section of the Isro staff over increased outsourcing of production as a move towards privatisation, VSSC director K Sivan said private sector participation is part of Isro and the plan is to put more industries together in a joint venture in the production of space components. Whether such a move will affect Isro's control over space launches in the country particularly with its proven launch vehicle PSLV, he told TOI that "Nothing will go out of control of Isro, it will only increase the joint ventures improving the production".