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M. Ramesh

SRIHARIKOTA, May 8

THE successful launch of the GSLV-D2/GSAT-2 on Thursday takes India closer towards self-reliance in the satellite launch business. India, like other countries, needs the services of a number of satellites such as for telecommunications, remote sensing, meteorology, etc.

Typically, the telecommunications satellites — INSATs — are heavy, going upwards of 2 tonnes each. While India can launch the remote sensing satellites, using the well-proven `Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle', or PSLV rockets, the country still has to depend upon overseas launchers such as Arianespace in French Guyana for putting it telecommunications satellites into space. These launchers charge about Rs 15 lakh per kg (of satellite), and therefore the bill for launching a telecommunications satellite could come anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 400 crore.

The GSLV programme is meant to bring in self-reliance in this area too. The first GSLV launch, which took place in April 2001, was not entirely successful. It put the satellite into a slightly lower-than-intended orbit, but it gave ISRO some useful tips. Studying the telemetry data thrown up by the first launch, ISRO scientists made a few "fine tunings", in the cryogenic stage. These fine tunings and some other experimental changes made in the rocket — such as more fuel, fired at higher pressure — enabled the GSLV-D2 to carry a heavier satellite. Since this launch was perfect, India has learnt the technology for launching 2-tonne class satellites into space. But, there is more work to be done.

Firstly, the telecommunications satellites of the future are likely to be heavier, with more transponder capacity. Thus, the capacity of the GSLVs to carry higher payloads needs to be increased further. Secondly, India has seven cryogenic engines supplied by the Russians, and the second was used on Thursday. There is a need to indigenously develop cryogenic engines since the Russians, under US pressure, would neither give India the technology, nor more engines. Work on the indigenous cryo engine is apace. It is expected that in the next 10 years, the transponder requirement in India would increase to about 250. Indian satellites have 96 now. This underscores the need for more telecommunications satellites and the imperative to develop indigenous launch capabilities. A 2,000-kg satellite can carry 24 transponders of a low power or 12 of high power.

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