INSAT-3DR in Orbit, Thanks To Desi Cryo-engine powered GSLV
Two decades have passed since ISRO’s cryogenic engine programme was formalized and now we have our very own cryogenic engine the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). It will be third satellite of this country to be launched into the stars. It is a moment of great pride for the Indians. Recently GSLV was successful in placing the INSAT-3DR into the orbit. This was a great achievement as this was the third time such an operation has come to fruition for ISRO.
Key facts about INSAT 3DR
- It is an advanced satellite that monitors the weather. It was placed into the orbit of satellites exactly 17 minutes after GSLV-F05 took off from Sriharikota at 4.50pm.
- It is the second heaviest satellite to be placed into the orbit by a GSLV which is propelled by a cryogenic engine. With the help of the propellant it will be raised t its orbit in 2 days.
- It will be placed into the geostationary transition orbit with the purpose of providing search and rescue data along with meteorological information at the post.
What the experts are saying…
The chairman of ISRO A S Kiran Kumar said in a positive note that the cryogenic engine propelled GSLV has performed extremely well. GSLV in itself has taken 10 flights till now. It has taken 4 flights with the CE-7.5. This makes the authorities extremely optimistic about its performance in the future. They are expecting that GLSV will be an operational launch vehicle of India given its consistent and stable performance.
ISRO was extremely positive about GSLV because according to them it has carried the satellite of the highest mass into the orbit. Basically GSLV is a three stage launch vehicle where cryogenic engine is used at the last stage. But more is yet to come for ISRO as it will launch its GSLV Mark III this year. It will have a high thrust cryogenic engine CE-20.
If this version of GSLV is launched, then it will be successful in carrying the satellite of the highest mass onto the orbit. This version is all set to be launched in December this year according to the director of Sarabhai Space Center, K Sivan.
They had to master cryogenic technology first
After three development flights this technology was put in place. This too had to be developed because Russian provided technology had been used up. So ISRO was forced to create something of this magnitude. However, this too was not an easy journey after their first flight they got to know that one of the turbo pump (that supplied fuel to the engines) had stopped working.
Critical modifications had to be made before the engine could successfully take flight in 2014. After that the next successful flight of the engine was in 2015. Today, things are looking really great for this technology. Thanks to the cryogenic technology, India has been able to launch satellites of great mass into space.
Initially the 7.5 tonne engine had blown up. But ISRO didn’t give up – it managed to develop another engine of double the weight. The efforts finally paid off.
Overview
| No. | Data | |
| 1 | Cryogenic engine Maiden flight weight | 2220 kg |
| 2 | First flight taken plunged into | Bay of Bengal |
| 3 | Specific impulse | 434 seconds |
| 4 | Maximum thrust | 220 kN |
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