Heaviest rocket launch in 2014: ISRO

Static testing of L110 liquid core stage of GSLV- MkIII launch vehicle conducted Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted the static test of its liquid core stage (L110) of GSLV Mk III launch vehicle for 150 seconds at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) test facility at Mahendragiri at 16:00 hrs yesterday (March 5, 2010). While the test was originally targeted for 200 seconds, it was stopped at 150 seconds since a deviation in one of the parameters was observed. About 500 important parameters were monitored during the static test. The next static test for 200 seconds will be conducted after analysis of this data.GSLV Mk III launch vehicle is being developed for launching 4 tonne class of satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Measuring 17 meters in length and 4 meters in diameter, L110 is an earth storable liquid propellant stage with a propellant loading of 110 tonnes. L110 stage uses two high-pressure Vikas engines in a clustered configuration and draws its heritage from the second stage of PSLV and GSLV and strap-ons of GSLV. While in PSLV and GSLV, the liquid stage with single engine configuration burns for 150 seconds, the GSLV-MkIII requires burning for 200 seconds in a twin engine configuration.B R GuruprasadPublic Relations OfficerPhone 080-2341 2238/Fax 080-23412253Cell: +91 94483 97700

India’s heaviest rocket ever is expected to take to the sky next January on an experimental flight whose later versions could be used to send humans on space missions.

The mainstay of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle —Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) would be to put in orbit communication satellites weighing between four and five tonnes, thus packing more transponders per launch.

“We are targeting an experimental flight of GSLV-Mk III in January 2014,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters after a public lecture at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) here.

This will also be a first time that ISRO scientists would undertake an experimental flight of a launch vehicle which would fall into the sea after reaching a height of 120 km. “We have been simulating the flight using computers. But there are certain tests that cannot be carried out on the ground. We will test the rocket in a cost effective manner,” GSLV-Mk III’s project director S. Somnath said.

He said ISRO engineers have planned to take some 2,000 measurements during the experimental flight of the GSLV-Mk III, which would weigh 640 tonnes at lift-off, making it the heaviest rocket built in the country.

“All the 2000 measurements during the flight would be telemetred down to the ground station. We will analyse them.

This will enable us to have full knowledge of the flight,” Somnath said.

The new rocket, which can put a four tonne satellite in orbit, will help Antrix Corporation, ISRO’s commercial arm, to offer cheapest space launches in the niche market.