Chennai: Sun, Aug 18 2013(7STARNEWS) A 29-hour countdown began on Sunday for the crucial launch of India's GSLV-D5, powered by indigenous cryogenic upper stage engine —which is being tested after a failed attempt over three years ago— and carrying communication satellite GSAT-14, from Sriharikota spaceport.
The rocket carrying the 1,982-kg satellite would be launched at 4.50 pm Monday from the second launchpad at Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 90 kms from Chennai, in Andhra Pradesh.
India needs cryogenic engines for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV) for carrying heavy payloads of up to five tonnes which are crucial for future telecommunication and space exploration as its current successful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) s can carry only payloads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes in geosynchronous transfer orbit.
"After the launch authorization board gave its clearance, the 29-hour countdown started at 11.50 am. Everything is going on as per schedule," ISRO officials told PTI.
GSLV-D5, which will have a duration of 17 minutes and eight seconds, is the eighth flight of the GSLV and the fourth developmental flight.
The mission assumes more significance as the indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage (CUS) will be flight tested for the second time by the ISRO
The previous flight test of the indigenous cryogenic stage in the GSLV-D3 mission failed on 15, April 2010.
Besides, the next GLSV flight with a Russian cryogenic stage also ended in failure in December 2010.
GSAT-14 will help provide many satellite based communication services to the country including tele-education and telemedicine.
The main objectives of the GSAT-14 mission is to augment the in-orbit capacity of Extended C and Ku-band transponders and to provide a platform for new experiments.
The GSLV-D5 with a lift off mass of 414.75 tonne is 49.13 metre long and has three stages of separation. It would launch the GSAT-14 into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Monday, August 19, 2013
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