CHENNAI: The Fully Indigenous cryogenic upper stage (final flight stage) is ready and likely to be flagged off from the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli on March 27 for integration in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Meanwhile the nation is on course to launch the heavy-lift GSLV Mk-III, which is the next generation launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) capable of placing four tonne class satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
Confirming the development, PV Venkitakrishnan, director, ISRO Propulsion Complex, told the Express that the cryogenic stage was fully integrated with the sub-systems and would be sent to Sriharikota next Monday. Already other two stages -- liquid core stage (L110) and solid strap-on-motors (S200) -- had reached Sriharikota and had been integrated.
Only last month, the cryogenic upper stage, code named C-25 D, passed the long duration endurance test for 640 seconds conducted at the Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex. India is only the sixth nation to have mastered the complex cryogenic technology.
ISRO scientists say they are happy with the progress and the cryo stage has fulfilled all the key parameters like chamber pressure, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen flow, injection pressure temperatures among others.
The cryogenic stage is capable of producing a thrust of 20 tonnes, using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants in the first Indian turbo pump engine developed indigenously. It was conceived, designed, fabricated within ISRO with the external support of Indian industry.
However the launch of GSLV Mk-III was delayed. The ISRO had planned to launch the heavy-lift vehicle carrying GSAT-19, a communication satellite, on April 20, but now the sources said the launch would take place only by May end or June first week.
Reliable sources told the
Express that GSLV Mk-III launch could happen only after the GSLV Mk-II launch. GSLV Mk-II carrying SAARC satellite was scheduled for launch this month end, but ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) was unable to deliver the satellite within the stipulated time because of technical issues. This forced the ISRO to rework on its launch calendar. Now, the SAARC satellite launch is rescheduled for April end.