ISRO's GSLV-D5 launch preparations in final leg

GSLV-D5, powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, is expected to put into orbit GSAT-14

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) scientists probably have no nails left on their fingers. They must be really nervous given that two consecutive GSLV launches had failed, back in April and December, 2010.

ISRO’s attempts to raise its stature in the global satellite launch business will be put to a significant test today after conclusion of the 29-hour countdown for the launch of the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) that began at 11.50 am on August 18. The success will prove that India has mastered the cryogenic technology.

Hence, the launch vehicle will be under greater focus than the satellite today.

“The propellant filling operation of the First Stage Strap-Ons has been completed,” according to ISRO.

The GSLV-D5, being powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, is expected to put into orbit the GSAT-14. The GSAT-14 is an advanced communication satellite, weighing almost two tonne. If it does succeed, it will announce India’s arrival onto the heavy satellite launch market, and also that ISRO has finally overcome all technology barriers to put heavy satellites in orbit.

Fuelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, a cryogenic engine offers greater energy efficiency than those that use other propellants. The improved efficiency means the upper stage need carry lesser propellant, with the weight saved translating into greater payload.

While India has mastered the technology of launching lighter satellites that weigh upto 1 tonne, with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launches now being seen as more or less routine. PSLV has had 23 consecutive successful launches and has put 63 satellites in precise orbits (23 Indian and 35 foreign satellites). The ISRO has been able to clearly establish PSLV's cost efficiency and reliability in this segment.

The global satellite launch market is worth a few billion and satellites of different sizes are launched depending on the tasks they perform. With the average cost of a launch being about $10,000 per pound of payload in the international market, it’s a big business.

While, the remote sensing satellites are lighter and are placed in polar orbits (those where the satellites do not move in tandem with earth's rotation and hence are not suitable for communication purposes).

They weigh between a few hundred kilos to about a tonne. While, the communications satellites are much heavier, weighing between two and five tonne -- and they are placed in the geo-synchronous transfer orbits where the satellite moves in tandem with earth's rotation. Thus the satellite service is available to users throughout the day.