GSLV-D5 to be launched today
Posted on: 19/Aug/2013 10:24:19 AM
The stage is all set for the launch of India`s geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle-D5 (GSLV-D5) with communication satellite GSAT-14 onboard from Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh on Monday.
GSLV-D5 is one of the most crucial launches for the India Space Research Organization (ISRO). The rocket is scheduled to blast-off at 4.50 pm from the rocket port located about 80 km from Chennai.
The 49.13 metre tall GSLV-D5 rocket weighing 414.75 tonnes will cruise for 17 minutes and eight seconds before placing telecommunication satellite GSAT-14 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
GSAT-14, which weighs 1,982kg, will be used for telecast and telecommunication.
The Rs 205 Crore launch is critical to ISRO as the rocket`s indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage (CUS) will be flight tested for the second time by the Indian space agency.
The previous flight test of the indigenous cryogenic stage in the GSLV-D3 mission had failed after the thrust from the cryogenic engine failing to pick after lift-off. The rocket had tumbled into the sea.
The GSLV was flown again in December the same year but this time round it used a Russian cryogenic stage. The mission too ended in a disaster.
