GSLV MK III-D1 OR GSAT-19 MISSION

GSLV Mk III-D1 launched GSAT-19 on June 05, 2017 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota. The first developmental flight of GSLV Mk III (the GSLV-Mk III-D1) successfully placed GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Know more about GSLV Mk III

• GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110) and a cryogenic stage (C25).
• GSLV-Mk III is capable launching 4 ton class of satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• GSLV Mk III is designed to carry 4 ton class of satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is about twice the capability of GSLV Mk II.

 

Then, what is GSLV-Mk III-D1?

GSLV-Mk III-D1 is the first developmental flight, carrying 3136 kg GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The vehicle is configured with a 5 m ogive payload fairing and slanted strap-on nose cone to provide aerodynamic robustness.

 

Note: The first experimental flight of LVM3, the LVM3-X/CARE mission lifted off from Sriharikota on December 18, 2014, and successfully tested the atmospheric phase of flight. Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment was also carried out in this flight. The module reentered, deployed its parachutes as planned and splashed down in the Bay of Bengal.

 

3 stages of GSLV Mk III – The Mechanism

The two strap-on motors of GSLV Mk III are located on either side of its core liquid booster. Designated as ‘S200’, each carries 205 tons of composite solid propellant and their ignition results in vehicle lift-off. S200s function for 140 seconds. During strap-ons functioning phase, the two clustered Vikas liquid Engines of L110 liquid core booster will ignite 114 sec after lift -off to further augment the thrust of the vehicle. These two engines continue to function after the separation of the strap-ons at about 140 seconds after lift -off.

 

	Payload to GTO: 4,000 kg GSLV Mk III will be capable of placing the 4 tonne class satellites of the GSAT series into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits.
	Payload to LEO: 8,000 kg The powerful cryogenic stage of GSLV Mk III enables it to place heavy payloads into Low Earth Orbits of 600 km altitude.
	Cryogenic Upper Stage : C25 The C25 is powered by CE-20, India's largest cryogenic engine, designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. Cryo Stage Height : 13.5 m Cryo Stage Diameter : 4.0 m Engine : CE-20 Fuel : 28 tonnes of LOX + LH2
	Solid Rocket Boosters : S200 GSLV Mk III uses two S200 solid rocket boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust required for lift off. The S200 was developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Booster Height : 25 m Booster Diameter : 3.2 m Fuel : 205 tonnes of HTPB (nominal)
	Core Stage : L110 Liquid Stage The L110 liquid stage is powered by two Vikas engines designed and developed at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. Stage Height : 21 m Stage Diameter : 4 m Engine : 2 x Vikas Fuel : 110 tonnes of UDMH + N2O4

 

About GSAT 19 Satellite

• GSAT-19 satellite with a lift-off mass of 3136 kg, is the communication satellite of India, configured around the ISRO’s standard I-3K bus.
• GSAT-19 carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders.
• Besides, it carries a Geostationary Radiation Spectrometer (GRASP) payload to monitor and study the nature of charged particles and the influence of space radiation on satellites and their electronic components.
• GSAT-19 also features certain advanced spacecraft technologies including miniaturised heat pipe, fibre optic gyro, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer, Ku-band TTC transponder, as well an indigenous Lithium-ion Battery.
• GSAT-19 satellite was launched by GSLV Mk III-D1 on June 05, 2017 from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.

 

Specification of GSAT-19 Satellite

• Launch Mass: 3136 Kg
• Dry Mass: 1394 kg
• Mission Life: 10 years
• Physical Dimensions 2.0 m x 1.77 m x 3.1 m
• Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III-D1/GSAT-19 Mission
• Type of Satellite: Communication
• Manufacturer: ISRO
• Owner: ISRO
• Application: Communication
• Orbit Type: GSO

 

The history of the launch vehicles of India: A moment of success and joy!

 

Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has two operational launchers: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled the launching up to 2 tonne class of communication satellites. The next variant of GSLV is GSLV Mk III, with indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine and stage, having the capability of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites.

In order to achieve high accuracy in placing satellites into their orbits, a combination of accuracy, efficiency, power and immaculate planning are required. ISRO's Launch Vehicle Programme spans numerous centres and employs over 5,000 people. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of launch vehicles. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and ISRO Propulsion Complex, located at Valiamala and Mahendragiri respectively, develop the liquid and cryogenic stages for these launch vehicles. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, is the space port of India and is responsible for integration of launchers. It houses two operational launch pads from where all GSLV and PSLV flights take place.