SRIHARIKOTA: The performance of the ISRO’s GSLV launch platform has been in stark contrast to the consistent success of its PSLV, most recently displayed in the clockwork success of the PSLV-C19 that lifted off from Sriharikota at 5:47 am on Thursday. But the learning from past failures has been taken on board and much progress has been made on the GSLV, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said on Thursday morning. This announcement is significant in view of the fact that Chandrayaan-2 is slated to be sent into space in 2014.
Radhakrishnan said a slew of tests with the GSLV platform had proved successful. Changes have been made to the design to successfully incorporate the indigenously built cryogenic engine.
The GSAT-14 satellite is expected to be launched in September or October this year aboard the GSLV-D5, in what will be a test launch of the Indian-made cryogenic engine. “The GSLV has to complete two successful flights. Once this is achieved then the path is clear for Chandrayaan-2. With the recent successes in testing of the GSLV, the 2014 timeline for Chandrayaan-2 should be realised,” Radhakrishnan said.
Radhakrishnan noted that significant strides had been made with the GSLV-MkIII. The launch vehicle is expected to give ISRO the capability to put heavy satellites, like communications satellites, into orbit, thereby reducing India’s dependence on foreign launch platforms such as Ariane for the task.