The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully completed the launch of LVM3-M5, breaking another record by launching the heaviest communications satellite from Indian soil, CMS-03.
Celebrating the success of the launch of LVM3-M5, IAEA Chief V Narayanan said that the mission marks the eighth launch of LVM3, continuing its streak of success.
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The importance of the mission
The launch of LVM3-M5 marks the first time that ISRO has placed a communications satellite weighing more than 4,000 kg in a remote geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from Indian territory. Heavier Indian satellites have been placed in orbit by foreign companies. The 5,854 kg GSAT-11 and 4,181 kg GSAT-24 satellites were launched by French company Ariane space. ISRO’s 4,700 kg GSAT-20 satellite requires a launch vehicle from Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
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Payload
The payload, CMS-03, is a multi-band communications satellite weighing 4,410 kg. It is a multi-band communications satellite that will provide services across a wide oceanic area, including the Indian landmass. It is designed to provide services for at least 15 years. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said the satellite incorporates new technologies and “is a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat. (Self-reliant India).”
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The missile
LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), formerly known as GSLV Mk-3, is ISRO’s most powerful rocket. It is capable of carrying up to 8,000 kg to low Earth orbit and 4,000 kg to geosynchronous orbit. It uses a combination of solid, liquid and cryogenic engines and has already launched major missions such as the Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and OneWeb satellites. For this mission, the target orbit was lower (about 29,970 km at the highest point) to accommodate the heavier satellite.
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“Baahubali” promotion.
ISRO has modified the rocket to increase its payload capacity by 10 per cent compared to the previous launch LVM3 (LVM3-M4) carrying Chandrayaan 3. The vehicle was named ‘Baahubali’ for its weight capacity. The vehicle’s cryogenic upper stage was upgraded from a C25 (carrying 28,000 kg of fuel and generating 20 tons of thrust) to a more powerful C32 stage (carrying 32,000 kg of fuel and producing 22 tons of thrust).
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The road ahead
Narayanan said ISRO is targeting seven more launches by March next year. He added that one launch using the LVM3 missile is scheduled for December. The head of the Indian Space Agency said that work is underway on the first unmanned mission of the Gajanyan programme, which will send a robotic astronaut called Vyomitra into space. ISRO has planned three unmanned missions before sending astronauts as part of India’s human spaceflight programme.
(Tags for translation)ISRO LAUNCH
