Day-22 Answer Writing Challenge : Model Answer

Question: ISRO grace the skies by successfully launching various Satellite. Elaborate this statement with the sequence in development of launch vehicle technology and its present status in India.

Answer:

 In a span of more than five decades, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) has achieved many milestones – from building India’s first satellite Aryabhata in 1975, to placing India’s first satellite, Rohini, in orbit.

• It has also secured distinguished landmarks such as launching 104 satellites in a single rocket (PSLV-C37) in 2017, which still stands as a world record.
• From nondescript beginnings, to scaling astonishing heights, India’s spacing tryst started in 1963, when sounding rockets were transported to a small fishing village on a bicycle. Over the years, India went on to develop indigenous cryogenic engines and state-of-art launch vehicles.

SLV-3

• India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3 or Satellite Launch Vehicle 3 was an experimental launcher.
• It was a four-stage, all solid vehicle weighing 17 tonnes. With a height of 22m, it was capable of placing 40 kg payload in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• It was launched successfully on July 18, 1980 with the Rohini Satellite-1 (RS-1) from Sriharikota Range (SHAR).
• However, another test flight was launched earlier in 1979 that stood to be partially successful.

ASLV

• Upgrading the SLV-3, the ASLV or Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle came into existence.
• Designed to carry 150 kg, almost 4 times more than SLV-3, the ASLV stood 24m long.
• It was configured as a five-stage, all solid propelling vehicle with a lift off mass of 40 tonnes.
• The technology used in ASLV demonstrated to be influential for future launch vehicles as it validated critical components such as strap-on technology, inertial navigation, bulbous heat shield, vertical integration and closed loop guidance.

PSLV

• The longest running launch vehicle in India, the PSLV or Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle took its first successful flight in October 1994.
• It was the first satellite developed by ISRO that had liquid stages in a 4-stage design.
• The PSLV-XL weighs 320 tonnes and stands 44.4 metre in height.
• It emerged as a versatile launch vehicle for the Indian space sector, as it was then tasked with carrying out some of the most important space project in the country’s history.
• The launcher successfully launched Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in 2008, and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013.

GSLV Mk II

• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV Mk II became the fourth fourth generation launch vehicle in the ISRO launchers lineup.
• Its first flight came on April 18, 2001 when it carried GSAT-1 into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
• The GSLV MK II is a three stage rocket with a height of 51.73 metre and lift off mass of 4420 tonnes.
• Its primary payloads are INSAT class of communication satellites that operate from geostationary orbits.

GSLV Mk III

• The latest launcher in ISRO, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III or GSLV Mk III is a three stage rocket with two solid stage and one liquid stage.
• It was first launched on December 18, 2014, and since then has been a part of some of the crucial space projects ISRO has undertaken.
• The GSLV Mk III is 43.5 metre in height and has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes.
• It is capable of placing 4 tonnes class GSAT series into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits. Moreover, it can place 8 tonne class payloads in LEO.

Launchers under development

• Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV)
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
• Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)
• Scramjet Engine – TD

ISRO has been continuously working on improving the capabilities of its launch vehicles and expanding its space exploration endeavours.