Success Of GSLV Cryogenic Engine Means Good Money Too

SRIHARIKOTA: The success of GSLV-D5 signals is the beginning of a new era of commercial viability for Indian space missions.

Though India had in the last two decades claimed its rightful place in the global space sector with 25 consecutive successes of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs), there remained a GSLV-shaped hole. While PSLV can carry satellites up to 2 tonnes to a lowearth orbit, GSLV was needed for the launch of heavier satellites, especially of the telecommunication variety that need to be put in a 36,000km geosynchronous orbit. Sunday’s launch using an indigenous cryogenic engine bridges this gap.

Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of Isro, which has been putting its workhorse PSLV to good use to launch satellites for other countries which find the Indian launchpad reliable and affordable, will now get a boost. Antrix chairman and managing director V S Hegde said the corporation is expecting a 15% growth in turnover as more countries were approaching Isro for commercial launches. Antrix has registered a revenue of `1,300 crore in the current fiscal.

Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan confirmed that Germany has approached India for the launch of an 800-kg satellite, and the UK for three satellites weighing 300kg each. “There will be at least two dedicated commercial launches this year using PSLV,” said Radhakrishnan. Isro scientists said earnings from such launches could more than double once GSLV is accepted globally as a reliable launch vehicle.

At the level of technology demonstration and outer space exploration, GSLV has come a shot in the arm for Isro. “Though we have spelled out our plans for a manned mission, we couldn’t arrive at a tentative date because of the unreliability of GSLV. This success will speed up such projects,” said a scientist.

Radhakrishnan said Isro was ready for a series of GSLV launches, including those for GSAT-6, GSAT-7A, GSAT-9 and Chandrayaan-2. The second moon mission will use a GSLV, after a second success of the cryogenic engine.