By IANS,
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) : The GSLV rocket mission that failed Thursday was the sixth launched by India. Of the six, only two were successes, one a partial one, and the rest could not accomplish their
missions.
The two successful launches by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) were in 2003 and 2004 – and put into space GSAT-2 and Edusat, an educational
satellite.
The rocket’s maiden flight in 2001 could not attain success as it was not able to sling GSAT-1 into the intended orbit. The satellite could not be raised to the intended orbit.
The 2006 flight was historic for a dubious reason – for the first time ISRO destroyed the rocket mid-air soon after the take-off as it started backing up.
The last flight of GSLV was in 2007, which is considered a partial success.
In Thursday’s mission, the main indigenous cryogenic engine – the third stage – seems to have not ignited after the burn-out of second stage.
“We were not sure whether the main cryogenic engine – the third stage – did ignite as the vehicle started tumbling. We have to confirm that after
analysing the data which is expected to get over in two or three days,” ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters here.
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle- Development 3 (GSLV-D3) rocket deviated from its path minutes after the rocket blasted off at 4.27 p.m.
The GSLV D3 blasted off with a GSAT 4 satellite but stopped emitting signals within minutes after the lift off.
The cryogenic state ignition order was issued by onboard computers as planned.
“Indication of cryogenic engine getting ignited was also obtained,” he said.
“The cryogenic engine has two more Verinier engines. It seems they did not get ignited,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said the next GSLV with an Indian made cryogenic engine will be launched within a year.