ISRO may launch GSLV-D3 on April 15

On Friday, chief K Radhakrishnan said that ISRO is all set to launch a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D3) that incorporates home-made cryogenic engine for the first time.

He said, “Preparations are going on. The final reviews are also taking place. It could be any day from April 15 (at around 16.30 hours), which is the first available opportunity.”

GSLV-D3 is going to carry on board GSAT-4 experimental satellite that is also being tried on with some new things by ISRO.

He said that this indigenous development of such a complicated cryogenic rocket technology after the efforts of so many years is a reply to tech denial regimes.

“Significance in terms of (cryogenic) technology development has been a marvelous thing”, he added.

Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) that is being used for the foremost time in GSLV-D3 has been successfully qualified with the full flight duration test of 800 seconds. This indigenous engine would be used as an alternative to Russian cryogenic stage that was employed till date in GSLV.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said, “In 1992, we wanted to get this technology from Russia, and the Americans put a sanction on Russia not to transfer this technology and India took a bold decision to develop it. So, we have done it. This is a flight-testing of that (indigenous cryogenic) stage.”

He added, “GSAT-4 is the only payload (to be carried by GSLV-D3). But GSAT-4 contains several payloads. We are getting into Ka-band transponder system there, and we are also having a small payload for the satellite navigation for augmenting the GPS system that is GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation).”