ISRO successfully launches INSAT-3DR using GSLV
India: On a sunny late afternoon, ISRO successfully launched its GSLV-MkII rocket from the second launchpad at spaceport in Sriharikota. The rocket carrying INSAT-3DR satellite was launched at 4.10 pm to a geostationary transfer orbit around Earth. The event was also important from the point of technology and commerce, because it was the first time when an indigenous cryogenic engine was used on an operational flight.
As far as cryogenic technology is concerned, a cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer, which are gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
- Cryogenic rocket engine uses cryogenic fuel or oxidizer
- it is gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures
- The first successful test-flight using the indigenous Cryogenic engine happened in January 2014.
The first test-flight of the GSLV with a cryogenic upper, or third, stage happened in April 2001 and it was a failure. The first successful test-flight using the Russian engine happened in May 2003. The first successful test-flight using the indigenous engine happened in January 2014.
And here, ISRO today used it for a fourth time and that too on an operational flight.
An operational flight means ISRO will not be testing any components, flight parameters or flight routes. The launch will solely be about the mission: delivering the payload.
Once it gets operational, the INSAT-3DR satellite will continue the mission of INSAT-3D, which was launched in 2013.
Both of them belong to the larger class of meteorological satellites operated by ISRO.
The INSAT-3D satellite can map vertical changes of humidity, temperature and ozone content in Earth’s atmosphere.
The INSAT-3DR will be capable of making the same measurements – as well as better image night-time clouds, and better measure sea surface temperature. And like 3D, the 3DR will also include a search-and-rescue transponder, used to pinpoint the location of distressed vessels at sea.
The 3D will operate until 2021. The 3DR will last till around 2024.
ISRO‘s satellite launch: Here are 10 things to know
- ISRO’s GSLV-F05 rocket, carrying the INSAT-3DR advanced weather satellite took off from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Sept 8, 2016.
- The launch was the tenth flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), designed to inject 2 to 2.5 ton class of satellites in geostationary orbits.
- The satellite INSAT 3DR weighing 2,211 kilogram during lift off was put into a geo-transfer orbit by the rocket initially.
- Significantly, GSLV-F05 is the flight in which the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) was carried on-board for the fourth time during a GSLV flight.
- Cryogenic engines use liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer to burn the fuel. It can produce 1.5 times the thrust compared to liquid rocket engines.
- Nicknamed as “naughty boy,” this rocket has had a patchy record, with five of its nine flights resulting in failure.
- The success of GSLV is crucial for India since it will be the vehicle to launch the second mission to the moon ― Chandrayaan-2 ― next year.
- INSAT 3DR is equipped with instruments that would study weather patterns. It would join the operational search and rescue service provided by INSAT-3D to various users, including Coast Guard, Airport Authority of India, Shipping and Defense.
- It has an operational life of eight years.
- Together, they represent an expenditure of 400 crore.
