Times of India(30-06-2006)
http://epaperdaily.timesofindia.com/
GSLV to take flight in a fortnight
Rocket Will Carry 2-Tonne Satellite Into Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit
By Prashanth G N
Sriharikota (AP): India is all set to launch the Geo-synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) F02 with a two-tonne satellite in two weeks. The preparations
at Sriharikota are complete with the rocket designated to arrive at the site
on July 1.
The rocket is awaiting insertion of the satellite before it is wheeled out
to the launch pad. The insertion is the fourth and final stage of the rocket
preparation.
The first three stages are through. The solid propellant booster and four
liquid strap-ons in the first stage, the liquid engine in the second and
the cryogenic engine in the third are already in place.
Once the satellite, INSAT 4C communication weighing 2,180 kg, is placed over
the cryogenic engine, the GSLV will be ready for launch.
Once at the pad on July 1, the GSLV will stay put for nine days and will
set to launch on the 10th day. Checking of parameters, end clarifications,
interface examination and accuracy of all sub-systems will be undertaken
there for nine days from July 1.
The GSLV should take-off on July 10. However, the final launch date is subject
to work schedule, weather and a host of other conditions. Therefore, flexibility
has been maintained anytime between July 10 and 15. It will however, take
place before July 15, officials said.
The rocket will be launched from the country’s newest and state-of-art launch
pad — the Second Launch Pad or SLP — built at a cost of Rs 400 crore. Space
officials described it as a one-of-its kind that even advanced countries
wish to replicate.
The pad’s unique quality, officials at Sriharikota said, lies in its configuration
as a universal launch pad. It extends launch support to all current versions
of PSLV and GSLV.
With the augmentation of some existing facilities and addition of new installations,
the pad will take care of future requirements of heavier-class vehicles like
GSLV-MKIII.
It, officials observed, is a sharp contrast to the general practice of setting
up a dedicated launch pad for each launch vehicle in other countries. The
pad also provides launches with quick turn-around time, enhances launch frequency
and accommodates future launch vehicle configurations.
The most important facet of the pad is its Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
in which the entire launch vehicle is assembled. The GSLV is currently being
assembled at VAB and then will be towed to the pad a kilometre away, via
rail tracks.
The advantage here is, when the vehicle is at the launch pad, VAB is free
to work on a second launch vehicle and can commence work even as the vehicle
at the launch pad is taking off.
If VAB is busy, the launch pad itself will be free to launch other
ready-made satellites made elsewhere in India or abroad. This is because,
at any given launch, a vehicle occupies the pad for only nine days.
Sriharikota is now allowing for higher frequency of assembly and launch of
vehicles owing to the construction of assembly building and pad as independent
entities.
Sriharikota officials observed that in the current launch, they are factoring-in
only thunderstorm and lightning. For, even heavy rain, officials said, will
not affect the scheduled launch window.
The GSLV, under integration, just before being moved
to the launch pad at the Sriharikota launch site on Thursday.
