Staging yet another spectacular launch of three-stage heavy weight
rocket GSLV D-6 with indigenous cryogenic upper stage, Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday Aug 27,2015 successfully put in orbit
GSAT-6 communication satellite.
The GSLV D-6 is the second successful consecutive launch of the GSLV
series with indigenous cryogenic upper stage. ISRO had on January 5,
2014 launch GSLV D-5, after a similar attempt failed in 2010.
About 17 minute after the 49.1 metre high spacecraft lifted off raised
from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre with a lift-off
weight of 416 tonne at 4.52 pm, the rocket placed GSAT-6 in the
intended orbit.
The 2,117 kg-weighing GSAT-6 communication satellite is aimed at
primarily benefiting the country's strategic users and other specific
authorised users. The cuboid-shaped satellite with a mission life of
nine years also includes a first-of-its-kind S-Band unfurlable antenna
with a diameter of six metre. This is the largest antenna ISRO has ever
made for a satellite.
Though the Thursday's launch is the nine time ISRO was using GSLV
rocket, this is the third time the rocket was being launched with
indigenous cryogenic upper stage. "GSLV-D6 flight is significant since
it intends to continue the testing of CUS," according to ISRO.
The cryogenic stage was "technically a very complex system" compared to
solid or earth-storable liquid propellant stages due to its use of
propellants at extremely low temperatures and the associated thermal and
structural challenges, ISRO stated.
A cryogenic rocket stage "is more efficient and provides more thrust for
every kilogram of propellant it burns" compared to solid and
earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages, it added. The cryogenic
stages fires for a nominal duration of 720 seconds during the launch.
Note
ISRO is the sixth space agency in the world after those of US, Russia, Japan, China and France to have joined the indigenous cryogenic regime, which is crucial for launch of heavier satellites weighing more than two tonnes.
GSAT-6 is the 25th geostationary communication satellite built by ISRO and the 12th in the GSAT series. The satellite is equipped with five spot beams in S-band and a national beam in C-band for strategic users
ISRO is the sixth space agency in the world after those of US, Russia, Japan, China and France to have joined the indigenous cryogenic regime, which is crucial for launch of heavier satellites weighing more than two tonnes.
GSAT-6 is the 25th geostationary communication satellite built by ISRO and the 12th in the GSAT series. The satellite is equipped with five spot beams in S-band and a national beam in C-band for strategic users
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