Isro begins countdown for GSLV-D5 launch

The countdown started after Isro successfully completed rehearsal on Thursday

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Saturday started the 29-hour countdown for the scheduled launch of GSLV-D5 into space on Sunday evening from the spaceport at Sriharikota, near Chennai.

The countdown started after Isro successfully completed rehearsals on December 28 and later on Thursday. The Mission Readiness Review (MRR) team and the Launch Authorisation Board (LAB) had cleared the GSLV-D5/GSAT 14 launch. Soon after the team cleared the launch, the vehicle was moved to the launch pad.

 

Isro said, “The passenger, GSAT-14, destined for geostationary orbit has already boarded the flight, scheduled to take off from the launch pad number 2 at 4.18 pm IST tomorrow (on Sunday). After the burnout and separation of the first two stages, the passenger will be piloted by the indigenously developed cryogenic stage.”

The spacecraft will be carrying advanced communication satellites. The GSAT-14 will be used for telecasting and telecommunication purposes. Its mission life is 12 years.  “Two Ka-band Beacons on board GSAT-14 operating at 20.2 GHz and 30.5 GHz will be used to carry out attenuation studies,” said Isro.

India’s space programme was significantly aided by Russian technology, which has been a vital part of the GSLV programme. India had inked a deal with Russia for the supply of five CUS (cryogenic upper stage) units with the associated technology in 1990. In 1992, the US put sanctions on ISRO and Russian company Glavkosmo. Although Russia gave seven CUS units, it went back on technology-sharing.  Undeterred, Isro launched its own CUS Project in April 1994.