CHENNAI: India’s ‘Baahubali rocket’ GSLV Mk III has sent back a selfie video showing stage separation and GSAT-19 deployment. The video bears testimony to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) prowess.
The video showed glimpses of lift-off in infrared view, S200 stage separation and the perfect deployment of GSAT-19 communication satellite into the geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) while travelling at 36,000 km/hr.
Earlier in February, ISRO placed an on-board camera on the PSLV rocket that lobbed 104 satellites into space. ISRO officials said the idea was to have a real-time view of how things were panning out. “We plan to generate similar footage of all important future missions. Of course, these videos are patronised by Indians across the globe,” an official said.
He added that in the coming days, GSAT-19 orbit would be raised from its present GTO to the final circular geostationary orbit by firing the satellite’s liquid apogee motor in stages. During the final phase of this operation, the solar panels and antenna reflectors of the satellite would be activated. The satellite would be commissioned into service after positioning it in the designated slot in the GSO following in-orbit testing of its payload.
Access this link to watch the video: http://www.isro.gov.in/gslv-mk-iii-d1-gsat-19-mission/gslv-mk-iii-d1-gsat-19-tracking-and-onboard-camera-video.