NEW DELHI: Countdown for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s big launch has started at Sriharikota. An indigenous weather satellite – the INSAT 3DR — is set to begin its journey tomorrow afternoon, piggybacking on the GSLV. But more than the satellite, it is the flight of GSLV that will be crucial for India.
Here are the Top 10 points to this big science story
- The lift-off will take place at 4.10 pm from the launch pad at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
- The success of GSLV (Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is crucial for India since it will be the vehicle to launch the second mission to the moon — Chandrayaan-2 — next year.
- A successful launch will also boost India’s efforts to make a dent in the multi-billion dollar commercial space launcher market.
- The 415-tonne GSLV rocket, with its indigenous cryogenic engine, is being tested for the tenth time. This is its first operational launch.
- Dubbed the “naughty boy,” this rocket has had a patchy record, with five of its nine flights resulting in failure.
- The rocket is almost 49 meters high — as much as a 17-floor building. It weighs 415 tons — as much as the combined weight of 80 full grown elephants.
- Rocket launches are still a very risky business, which became evident when the Falcon- 9 rocket by Space-X exploded on a launch pad in USA on September 1. Space-X a private company is owned by billionaire Ellon Musk, which is now experimenting with cheaper space launches.
- The GSLV will be carrying the 2211-kg INSAT 3DR, which will eventually be placed in a geo-synchronous orbit 36,000 km above Earth.
- What makes the INSAT 3DR special is its imaging capabilities for night-time pictures. It also carries on board a special search and rescue transponder, which will help in satellite-aided rescue operations.
- Together, they represent an expenditure of Rs. 300 crore.
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