Finance
The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the first of five second-generation satellites for the Navigation by Indian Constellation (NavIC), with Isro chairperson S Somanath stating that the constellation will be completely operational by the end of the year.
The 2,232 kg satellite, which was launched with a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket, will contribute to India’s regional navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation.
At 10.42 a.m., the satellite launched onboard GSLV-F12 and was placed just over 18 minutes later into a geosynchronous transfer orbit of 173 km *40,700 km, which will be circularised over the next few days to bring the satellite to its final location.
The constellation has been plagued by failing atomic clocks and satellites nearing the end of their mission life. “We are going to make this NavIC system fully functional and operational for the benefit of the nation. There is a huge amount of opportunity waiting for us,” Somanath said after the launch.
“This is a very good orbit and will give a better life to the satellite,” said Mission Director N P Giri after the launch.
The satellite has a mission life of more than 12 years, which is longer than the 10-year life of the constellation’s first-generation satellites.
This is the vehicle’s first launch since it failed in August 2021, after adjustments were made based on recommendations from a failure study group. The 2021 launch failed because a faulty valve caused insufficient pressure in the cryogenic upper stage’s liquid hydrogen tank, preventing the rocket from being ignited.
Somanath thanked the government for showing faith in the agency and authorising the use of the vehicle after the previous failure. He said, “I am very happy that the corrections and modifications in the cryogenic stage that we have done, as well as the lessons out of it, (have made) our cryogenic stage more reliable and we are seeing success in our LVM3 mission as well.”
The vehicle also featured the new 4m Ogive payload fairing, which is capable of transporting larger payloads and shielding the satellites from atmospheric friction and heat.
The launch also outperformed Isro’s patchy track record during the three pandemic years. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, there were only two Isro launches each, but this is the third for 2023. The two launches this year were also significant, with the first introducing the new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle into the current Isro fleet and the second establishing the heaviest rocket, LVM Mk3, as a reliable commercial launcher.
With the launch of the first solar mission, the third lunar expedition, and the test vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission later this year, Isro has had an eventful year. Following this, the same vehicle will be utilized for the weather and meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS and the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) satellite, according to the Isro chairman.
Source:IE
