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April 2001
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ISRO plans met satellite in 2002
Thiruvananthapuram, April 28, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch a meteorological experiment satellite using GSLV some time next year.
Dr Madhavan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), said that the satellite, with a payload of 950 kg, would be put on a geo-stationary orbit to provide information on weather, moisture content and other atmosphere-related matters.
He said the second GSLV mission, G-SAT II, with a payload of 1,800 kg, would be ready for launch in 18 months' time. With this launch, GSLV would become operational, Mr. Nair informed.
He noted that despite the minor shortcomings, the recent GSLV mission was a great success. For one, the success rate for geo-synchronous mission was around five per cent for those countries, which had attempted it. ``We are happy to have successfully put a satellite in near-perfect orbit with the GSLV,'' Mr. Nair said.
The third GSLV launch of ISRO would be a totally indigenous one, he added. He said the satellite could not be put into its pre-determined slot mainly because of the loss of energy from two fuel tanks. The main thrust was not used while the auxiliary thrust was not very efficient, leading to 30 kg loss, he pointed out.
The two fuel tanks were fabricated two years ago, of which one was of German make. The resultant incompatibility led to the loss of fuel, he explained.
Now, attempts were being made to correct the shortfall through new experiments and techniques. As the satellite could not be put in its slot, it was possible to conduct experiments only for a limited period. The lifespan of the satellite was three years and much would depend on the success of the attempts to correct the orbit. The satellite-tracking centre at Hassan was constantly monitoring the health of the satellite, which was expected to be over Hassan on April 30, Mr. Nair said.
The idea was to utilise the limited period to carry out as many as experiments as possible, he added. He said the mission could not be dubbed as a failure because the flight was experimental in nature. Besides, while the other countries used dummy payloads, it was not so in this case. Even in Russia, the cryogenic efforts were experimental. The only point was that the mission management strategy would change according to the situation, Mr. Nair said.
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