Gslv Likely To Be Launched Ahead Of Schedule
The launch schedule of the Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket will be advanced following completion of all technology requirements six months ahead of schedule. The GSLV project's fruition comes in the wake of intense pressure from the US to prevent India from acquiring communication satellite launch technology. From its 1999-2000 launch timeframe, the GSLV is now scheduled for launch from a new spaceport at Sriharikota by end-1998, highly placed Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) sources said.
When contacted by Business Standard Isro chairman K. Kasturirangan said "wait for an important announcement (about the GSLV) in two months time. We are working on something". The GSLV consisting of four rocket stages will have a Russian cryogenic engine as its last stage which will place a 2.5 tonne satellite into geostationary orbit.
The ISRO has validated the other three stages and the cryogenic stage is expected to come from Glavcosmos, the Russian space agency by October 1998.
The US is opposed to the GSLV on grounds that it violates the missile technology control regime (MTCR) as it can be configured to fly as an inter-continental ballistic missile by merely altering its trajectory. But the real reason, ISRO scientists say is to prevent India from entering the international geostationary orbit satellite launching business. At present, the US and European Space Agency dominate the geostationary orbit business, by charging some $ 150 million per launch. The Russians and Chinese who too have GSLV capability have not been commercial successes due to poor marketing and a reputation for failed launches.
Under pressure from the US, Russia had abandoned a Rs. 235 crore cryogenic engine technology transfer deal with India in 1993 and instead had signed up to deliver seven engines for the same price. The engines will be delivered as per Isro's requirements starting with the first one in October 1998. The Isro sources said detailed flight sequence of the GSLV has been mapped on new high power computers. The ground-to-rocket communication and auto-pilot has been integrated with ground control computers. The rocket casings, cryo stage, propellant analysis and other sub-system development has been completed.
Accoustic tests and ground resonnance tests carried out on stage structures. Functional tests on stage separation and satellite ejection completed. The heat shield (to prevent the rocket from disintegrating when its leaves the earth's atmosphere) has been designed and validated. At the Sriharihota spaceport, modifications to the launcher tower and umblical line has been made to accomodate the 51 metre tall GSLV. The tower was originally built to handle the 45 metre tall Polar satellite launch vehicle which can place one tonne satellites in low earth orbit.