GSLV Mark II

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Russia remembered with gratitude as India joins elite space club

India became a full-fledged member of the elite space league of the world after successfully putting the 1982-kg GSAT -14 communication satellite into perfect orbit with the help of its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket, equipped with an indigenous cryogenic engine. It took just 1000 seconds of flight for the GSLV rocket to inject the satellite into orbit, heralding India's membership in the cryogenic club that so far included only the US, Russia, Japan, France and China. This is a brilliant demonstration of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) capability in cryogenic technology- a crucial element in building more powerful launch vehicles.

After a protracted history of two decades of toil, India has been finally successful in firing an indigenous cryogenic engine to launch a GSLV rocket. This success is very crucial for India's future projects including Chandrayan-2. India has now gained the capability to put satellites weighing more than two tonnes into orbit.

As India glows in pride in its moment of triumph of the successful launch, it recalls the Russian assistance in developing India's space research programme over the years with profound gratitude. It is a fact that it would not have been possible for India to make such significant forays into space without the tremendous support and cooperation extended by Russian scientists from the beginning of the long journey. It was the former Soviet Union that launched the first two Indian satellites - Aryabhat and Bhaskar from the Baikanour cosmodrome – into orbit.

The story of India's struggle to get the crucial cryogenic engines goes back to 1991 when it was due to receive the technology from the Soviet Union, which unfortunately disappeared from the world map the same year. Under the deal, the USSR was to provide three cryogenic engines and transfer the crucial technology to India. After Soviet disintegration, Boris Yeltsin's Russia, buckling under US pressure, refused to honour the agreement that stipulated selling the engines and transferring the technology to India.

Though US demanded a ban on technology transfer by Russia to India under the pretext of violation international agreement, it was indeed a perfect case of depriving Russia of the lucrative Indian market, as Washington and Paris were keen to sell these engines and technology to Delhi, however, for a much higher price. When Moscow understood the US game, it evinced some interest in implementing a cryogenic deal with India. However, a weak Russia then could not muster courage to implement the agreement under tremendous US pressure.

Nambi Narayanan, the man who then headed ISRO's cryogenic project, managed to bring in crucial components of the engine from Russia escaping US attention.

When Indian carrier Air India refused to carry the hardware fearing US punishment, the ISRO team used Russia's Ural Airlines to transport it in three consignments. Russian scientists, friendly to India apparently had secretly handed over blue prints relating to making of such engines.

India could have developed its own cryogenic engine by the end of the 1990s with the help of the blueprints received from Russia. However, Nambi Narayanan's arrest in a highly intriguing espionage case, believed to be the handiwork of foreign forces in connivance with some Indian circles, sealed the fate of the project for some time as the fabricated charges destroyed the ISRO team 's morale. Apparently transfer of cryogenic technology blueprints by Russian scientists to India soon became known to the CIA, which orchestrated the espionage scandal that led to Narayanan's arrest. According to Narayanan himself, his arrest was part of an agenda of US accomplished by CIA conniving with rogue elements in Indian intelligence agencies.

However, Indian scientists could finally make a remarkable breakthrough in mastering the cryogenic engine technology that ensured a place for India in the elite cryogenic club of the world. This could not have been possible without precious support extended by Russian scientists.

Space remains one of the strongest pillars of the Indo-Russian strategic partnership in recent years. During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India in December 2004, two space-related bilateral agreements – Inter-governmental Umbrella Agreement on Cooperation in the outer space for peaceful purposes and the Inter Space Agency Agreement on Cooperation in the Russian Satellite Navigation System GLONASS - were signed. Subsequently, a number of follow- up agreements on GLONASS were concluded.

Russia is looking at offering India a major role in the development of its GLONASS satellite navigation system. Such a step would augur well for bilateral cooperation in this strategically important area.

Russia remembered with gratitude as India joins elite space club | Russia & India Report
 

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Few important contents from the same link

Q]GSLV Mk III is equivalent to the Chinese Long March 3 and its variants. Whats the time frame for a Long March 5 equivalent(14T GTO) and what will it be called or is called?

[Ans:]No plans as of now. MkIII is more advanced than Long march 3.

Q]Are Indian spy satellites covered under the ISRO-space budget or under the Defense budget

[Ans:]No idea :D

Q]Does India have a Anti-Satellite capability and if its kept under wrap due to bad global PR reasons, whats the shortest span of time, India can retrofit a solution( an efficient jugaad of sorts)

[Ans:]Maybe an emergency will tell, but it can be done.

Q] How correct is the statement that the 2 Indian Space Launch vehicles can be within 6-9 months be turned into a ICBM if its required?

[Ans:]We already have good ICBMs. Why convert good old PSLV. PS: Tech is same everywhere. Go figure.

I ask as some people question the feasibility of this whereas I was also told or read even a decade back that India is not making a ICBM to avoid sanctions but it has the tech.

Again, Agni 5

Q]The Cryogenics technology took India so long to master because of the US-Soviet/Russian bilateral agreement and its implication on selling of tech to India. How is US seen in this regard since its the stumbling block for Technology transfer to India.

[Ans:]International geopolitical dynamics define such decisions.

Q]What other Advanced Technologies is still off the market for India and what portion of those concern ISRO and Indian space development.

[Ans:]After cryo, nothing very important remains. We can manage. We have got a great Semi-Cryo project going on, which would be even more awesome than cryo.

Q]What was the Indian position in the 1990's on the ISS. The US and the West intentionally kept China out citing security concerns. Why was India not involved and whats the probability India will get invoved now given that the ISS will only be up till 2020.

Sorry, I have no idea. I doubt India would join the program now.

Q]Few years back the US passed a Law which bars foreign nationals (students and Scientists from entering certain NASA enclosures) Has this(if at all) affected ISRO and the Indian Space development.

[Ans:]Nope. Even we don't allow foreigners in lots of our places :D

Q]ISRO mission to Venus in 2015. Whats new about it, what is going to be tested and surveyed.

[Ans:]No-one is going to Venus in 2015. Where did you hear about this?

Q]How are GAGAN and IRNSS different, this seems to be confusing me.

[Ans:]Google. Also, read other answer posted somewhere here.

Q]Why is IRNSS only limited to the Indian subcontinent Only, Why isn't it Global like the new Chinese BeiDou-2 system. Surely the sale of service like GPS does and BeiDou-2 and EU's Galileo will provide is enough incentive plus much more.

[Ans:]No, sales will not be that much. Read on the glonass conflict in usa that was in current affairs recently. For our purpose, Indian subcontinent will do.

Since its been mentioned that all ground hardware and receivers will be India made how will this be integrated into Mobile and such devices since such chips are manufactured at few places(near assembly plants).

Development is in progress.

Q] How long before we can use it in our phones?

[Ans:]It will take some time. Cannot comment on timeframe.

Q]How will the accuracy be, is using a geostationary orbit for GPS system efficient(i've read that such satellites provide limited coverage to only where the satellites are visible)

[Ans:]Accuracy will be good, comparable to other systems in use now.

Q] Lastly, all the best and keep doing your great work. Indians 200-300 years from now will thank you guys even more than you get now.

[Ans:]You are welcome. Spread the word about ISRO's activities among your friends and relatives.


We are three ISRO scientists here to answer your questions -AMA : india
More than meets the eye?
 

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Q]How are GAGAN and IRNSS different, this seems to be confusing me.

[Ans:]Google. Also, read other answer posted somewhere here.

Q]Why is IRNSS only limited to the Indian subcontinent Only, Why isn't it Global like the new Chinese BeiDou-2 system. Surely the sale of service like GPS does and BeiDou-2 and EU's Galileo will provide is enough incentive plus much mor
Idiot Journalist! Don't he know the Full form of IRNSS?

And he doesn't know the difference between GAGAN and IRNSS. :frusty:
 

Compersion

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Would anyone be able to mention some more details on the "Semi-Cryo project" per the below.

[Q]What other Advanced Technologies is still off the market for India and what portion of those concern ISRO and Indian space development.

[Ans:]After cryo, nothing very important remains. We can manage. We have got a great Semi-Cryo project going on, which would be even more awesome than cryo.
We are three ISRO scientists here to answer your questions -AMA : india
 

Compersion

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Would anyone be able to mention some more details on the "Semi-Cryo project" per the below.



We are three ISRO scientists here to answer your questions -AMA : india
Semi Cryogenic Engine - Indian Space Projects

Semi Cryogenic Engine

Introduction

ISRO plans to develop a 2000 kN semi cryogenic engine using liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene under a Rs. 1,798 crore six year project cleared by the Union Cabinet on December 19, 2008.

The Semi-Cryogenic engine will be used in the future heavy lift Unified Launch Vehicles (ULV) and Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV).

The project envisages foreign collaboration with a foreign exchange component of Rs. 588 crore.

The liquid stages of PSLV and GSLV engines use toxic propellants that are harmful to the environment. The trend worldwide is to change over to eco-friendly propellants.

Liquid engines working with cryogenic propellants (liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen) and semi cryogenic engines using liquid oxygen and kerosene are considered relatively environment friendly, non-toxic and non corrosive. In addition, the propellants for semi-cryogenic engine are safer to handle and store. It will also reduce the cost of launch operations.

This advanced propulsion technology is now available only with Russia and USA. The world's most powerful liquid engine, the Russian RD 170, is powered by a LOX - kerosene combination.

LOX - Kerosene engines have powered several American launchers as well, including Saturn V, which carried American astronauts to the moon.

A GSLV Mk-3 powered by a semi-cryogenic engine will be able to lift a 6 ton payload into a GTO, instead of the current 4 ton.
Progress

In an interview published on The Asian Age on January 13, 2014, ISRO Chairman, when asked about the semi-cryogenic engine, replied:

"We are working on the semi-cryogenic engine for the next generation launch vehicles which can transport satellites weighing six tonnes or more into space.

"Approximately Rs 2,500 crore will be spent on this project where we replace liquid hydrogen with kerosene. It is easier to handle kerosene compared to liquid hydrogen. It will take five years to design the engine which will be 10 times more powerful than the cryogenic engine."

According to the Department of Space Outcome Budget for 2013-2014, ISRO plans to complete the development of Semi cryogenic engine and establish the supporting test facilities with the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017).

In its 2012 annual report, ISRO reported that it had completed the design of single element thrust chamber injector
elements and tested cold flow.

A rubber composition resistant to Kerosene had been developed and tested.

Other components developed include rectangular rings, gaskets and O-rings for control components and turbo pump of semi cryogenic engine as well as Tri-ethyl aluminum (TEA) based hypergolic igniter.

ISRO has done hot test with LOX step injection mode on semi cryogenic pre-burner injector at high pressure after completing cold flow trials and sequence validation tests.

Further tests with step injection for Kerosene and LOX are planned.

In its 2011 annual report, ISRO reported:

Engine design, generation of fabrication drawing of sub systems and integration drawings have been completed. Preliminary Design Review of Engine Gimbal Control system have been completed and technical specification document of both Hydraulic Actuation System and Hydraulic Power System generated.

Hypergolic igniter trials have been successfully demonstrated. Single element of pre burner and thrust chamber are realized. 3 tests have been completed for single element Semicryo pre-burner injector.
 

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ISRO Planning At Least Two GSLV-MkII Launches Every Year

A GSLV-MkII rocket right outside the vehicle assembly building at SHAR, Sriharikota. Credit: ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has drawn up plans to make two-three GSLV missions every year, a top official said on Thursday.
The space agency registered a hat-trick of successes with the completion of the GSLV F05 mission on September 8. The mission saw a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle successfully place the INSAT-3DR satellite in the geostationary transfer orbit.
“We had a very successful flight of GSLV-Mk II. This is third consecutive GSLV-Mk II launch with indigenous cryogenic upper stage. Last August (2015) we had successful launch of GSLV-D6. Our intent is to launch two-three GSLV-MkII missions every year in the coming years,” ISRO chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told reporters at Sriharikota.
GSLV rockets using the indigenous cryogenic upper stage are designated GSLV Mk II.
Noting that ISRO scientists are geared to launch the ‘SCATSAT’ in two to three weeks followed by the ‘GSLV-MkIII’, he said that ISRO was also working on launching vehicles to Venus or to asteroids.
“We have lined up plans to launch the communication satellite, SAARC satellite, Earth observation satellite. Then we have Chandrayaan-II, we have Isro-Nasa Mission. Launch of ADITYA is also under progress. We also have the MARS Mission II. We are looking at going to Venus or to asteroids. The discussions are going on,” Kumar said.
On today’s successful launch, project director Uma Maheshwaran said, “This (today’s launch) has been a fantastic mission. In fact this is the first hat-trick of GSLV. PSLV also has so many hat-tricks till now. This is the first mission carrying heaviest satellite that was successfully deployed,” he said.
Noting that the ISRO scientists have worked on the “shortest working campaign” towards the launch of GSLV-F05, project director Maheshwaran said, “We had lot of PSLV missions. We are also planning to have two to three GSLV launches per year. Really we are striving for more (launches).”
“In today’s launch, all the parameters were perfect. The cryogenic stage has performed exceptionally well. It is a remarkable mission. Against the planned target of perigee of 170 km plus or minus five km, the launch (of satellite in GTO) happened at 169.7 km. It is a precise text book launch,” he said.
 

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India 6th country to successfully test an indigenous cryogenic engine
By: The Financial Express | Published: September 10, 2016 6:15 AM
While India had lagged far behind developed nations in terms of space tech, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has progressively covered the gap over the last few years.

While India had lagged far behind developed nations in terms of space tech, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has progressively covered the gap over the last few years. ISRO, which had successfully launched satellites to activate its regional navigation system and a reusable launch vehicle earlier this year, achieved yet another feat on Thursday as it successfully tested its indigenous cryogenic engine. While the space agency had successfully tested the engine two years ago, GSLV F05 carrying a payload of 2,211 kg INSAT-3DR weather satellite was the first commercial launch using cryogenic upper stage technology.
The breakthrough makes the country the sixth nation apart from the US, Russia, France, Japan and China to possess cryogenic engine technology, which uses liquid hydrogen as a fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidiser. While India—which embarked on a cryogenic-adoption path in 1992—had been using Russian engines since 2001, it had also started in-house development. Though a big achievement in itself, this would also propel ISRO’s plans to launch larger satellites to farther destinations as cryogenic engines are more efficient. It also paves the way for India to launch its second mission to the moon, the Chandrayaan 2.
 

pmaitra

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Congrats to ISRO once again for another successful launch with indigenous CUS.

Someone post the on-board video if there exists one.
 

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Congrats to ISRO once again for another successful launch with indigenous CUS.

Someone post the on-board video if there exists one.
I guess my post no. 1200808 is related to main ISRO thread as being about the orbital raising of weather sat.
So, I suggest you to move it back there.
I have no problem with other two moved here.

Thank you.
And here's the launch (with preparation) video from DD.
I think by must watch it after:
1:00:00.
We have onboard video from the camera on GSLV Mk2 D6 mission.
 

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ISRO's cryogenic leap
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) must be complimented for the successful launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-FO5) last week. The GSLV-FO5 launched the INSAT-3DR satellite, one of the three Indian satellites exclusively dedicated to weather research. This satellite, which tips the scales at 2.2 tonnes, will gather meteorological data apart from helping out in search and rescue services. The satellite uses an imaging instrument called the atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS), which generates vertical 3D profiles of temperature and moisture data. It can also provide very high-resolution images, both visible and infrared, as well as night images. INSAT-3DR can also make accurate estimations of sea and river temperatures. But beyond the merits of the satellite, the GSLV’s latest launch underscores that ISRO now has a reliable grasp of the cryogenic engine (CE) technology. This is the fourth time an indigenous CE has been deployed successfully, and it puts India into an exclusive club of six nations.
CEs are essentially high-tech steam engines, burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. These two elements are liquefied and stored separately at very low temperatures of minus 250 degree C. They combine explosively to produce steam. The technology is tricky: Very cold fuel tanks are placed in close proximity to very hot combustion chambers. But CEs’ key merit is that they provide higher thrust-to-weight ratios and are generally used at the latter stages of a multistage rocket.
India has had a rather chequered history when it comes to developing the CE technology. The CE programme started in the early 1990s with the help of the Russians. But since CEs fall under the “dual use” technology category, ie, technologies that can be used for both civilian and military applications, the US imposed sanctions on India in 1992. The Russians were pressured to stop assisting India in research and development. However, they did give six CEs to India. The ensuing development went through many ups and downs with two launch failures in 2010. However, in January 2014, with the launch of GSLV-D5, ISRO successfully used the CE-7.5 engine. But all the flights till now were developmental. The latest one is the first operational deployment. For ISRO, the next stage involves two key challenges: Developing larger CE engines and achieving a greater level of indigenisation. The GSLV and the key components of India's CEs have only about 60 per cent indigenous content, much lower than the 92 per cent in the older and smaller PSLVs (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles).
But ISRO has a long way to go. The country is still launching vehicles that launch satellites weighing about 2 tonnes, but the bulk of the international market is for launching satellites in the 4-tonne range. Besides, there are about 200 satellite launches annually; India does an average of just three. In that sense, India is still a very small player, as countries like the US, Russia, China and the European space agencies do 15-20 and more each year. Also, ISRO's advantage is supposed to be its low cost. However, with the advent of private players like Spacex, costs have come down by 25-30 per cent, and will drop further, even as satellite sizes increase. So, ISRO needs to be doing much more if it is to be more than a bit player in the game.
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For YouTube users:
ISRO GSLV F 05 Stage seperation and satellite ejection (Onboard camera )
 

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However, in terms of the GSLV(GSLV Mk2) rocket, Somanath said that ISRO didn't consider it a commercial launcher and that the rocket could be retired after 10 more flights.
All the 10 planned GSLV launches enlisted here.
  • NVS01 aka IRNSS-1J
  • 2 x IDRSS satellites for data relay in human spaceflight programme
  • NISAR
  • INSAT-3DS
  • GISAT-2
  • GSAT-7C and 7R
  • GSAT-32
  • Shukryaan-I (India's first Venus mission)
Only if GSLV's replacement (NGLV variant) arrives on time.
 

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When can it be realistically expected that GSLV Mk2( or Mk3) launch two fairly large satellites into a geosynchronous( or geostationary) orbit, the way Ariane vehicles do? ISRO would really be entering the big leagues when it does that!
 

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When can it be realistically expected that GSLV Mk2( or Mk3) launch two fairly large satellites into a geosynchronous( or geostationary) orbit, the way Ariane vehicles do? ISRO would really be entering the big leagues when it does that!
SCE might help in that
 

Varoon2

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SCE might help in that
Let's say Brazil has a satellite weighing 1200 kg, and Nigeria a satellite weighing 800 kg, and both are meant for launch into geosynchronous orbit. Could GSLV Mk 2 do that today? India had a satellite called APPLE, at about 670kg, more than 30 years ago. Ariane launched it, and it must have placed another comsat into GSO.
 

Swesh

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Let's say Brazil has a satellite weighing 1200 kg, and Nigeria a satellite weighing 800 kg, and both are meant for launch into geosynchronous orbit. Could GSLV Mk 2 do that today? India had a satellite called APPLE, at about 670kg, more than 30 years ago. Ariane launched it, and it must have placed another comsat into GSO.
Gslv mk2 can do that since it can transfer 2500kg payload to GSO
 

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