The Satish Dhawan Space Centre, ISRO’s rocket launch centre located at Sriharikota, has a busy year ahead.
On July 10, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV C28 is scheduled to launch three satellites designed by the U.K. for disaster management. This will be followed soon after by the test flight of the RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle- Technology Demonstrator) from the same launch pad, and the launch of the PSLV C30 carrying the Astrosat satellite designed to serve as a space observatory.
ISRO is expected to cross a major milestone in August when it launches the GSLV- D6 powered by the indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage. The assembly of the engine is on at Mahendragiri, VSSC Director M.C. Dathan told reporters here on Friday.
In January and February 2016, ISRO will launch the satellites that are part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) aboard the PSLV C29 and C30 rockets.
Developmental flight
The first developmental flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mark 3, a landmark event for ISRO, is scheduled for December 2016. The biggest rocket made in India, the Mk3 carries an indigenous cryogenic engine for the upper stage. “Tests on the cryo stage are progressing. The mock trial is expected by mid- 2016. If successful, it will give us confidence to launch the Insat, GSAT series of satellites into orbit on our own”, Mr. Dathan said.
