The former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair, said here on Monday that technical flaws were the prime cause of the recent failure of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06).
GSLV-F06, which carried communication satellite GSAT-5P, lost control soon after a successful liftoff, broke up into pieces and was subsequently destroyed in mid-flight.
Dr. Nair, who is a member of the team constituted to review the failure, pointed out that a GSLV launch involved various complexities. “In addition to the other crucial intricacies during its launch, GSLV employs a rather challenging cryogenic scientific system. At least three trial launches must be conducted before the expected results could be ascertained,” he said.
It was wrong to put the onus of responsibility of the failed launch on a person or the organisation. “Those behind the project should not be blamed for its failure. In fact, ISRO and its scientists are completely aware of the fact that it is the tax paid by the common man that funds such projects. This would ensure that not a single rupee goes wasted knowingly. The recent failure should not be perceived as a precedent for future ventures of the organisation,” he said.
