ISRO set to launch GSLV-D3 today

The stage is all set for the launch of the first flight-testing of indigenous cryogenic engine on homespun rocket, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 4.27 pm today. The 29-hour countdown for the lift-off began at 11.27 a.m. on Wednesday is progressing smoothly. The cryogenic engine is crucial for putting communication satellites weighing more than two tonnes into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). The GSLV-D3 would put the GSAT-4 satellite into the GTO. The success of the GSLV-D 3 would take India into the elite club of space-faring nations comprising the United States, Russia, certain European countries, Japan, and China who possess complex cryogenic technology. The rocket is 49 meters tall and weighs 419 tonnes. The rocket will carry communication satellite GSAT-4 and others weighing more than two tonnes. This is the first time India would be using indigenously built cryogenic stage and technology, which is crucial to put communication satellites weighing more than two tonnes in GTO. The indigenous technology has come to fruition nearly 19 years after India was denied the cryogenic technology. India earlier made effort to acquire cryogenic propellant technology from Russia in 1992 but the plan didn't bear fruit because of fierce opposition from big powers.