GSLV and the future of India's Space Program

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)transfer. Three development flights of GSLV have
is India's largest launch vehicle, intended to eventuallyalready taken place. Once operational, all INSATs in
launch INSAT type communication satellites, to makefuture are to be launched from India soil using the
India less dependent on foreign rockets for INSATGSLV.The cryogenic engine is a crucial component of
launches, Till now all the INSATs have been launchedGSLV. It uses liquid Oxygen and liquid hydrogen
using foreign launch facilities at exorbitant costs. Oncestored at very low temperature as propellants and
GSLV become operational, India will have total controlproduces the maximum thrust per unit weight.
over its INSAT program.The GSLV is a three stageWithout a cryogenic upper stage, it would be
rocket, the first stage of which uses solid propellantimpossible to place a 2500 kg satellite in to GTO. The
motor and second stage uses a liquid propellantGSLV will initially use cryogenic upper stage engine
motor. It also uses four liquid strap on boosters andsupplied by Russia, but subsequently, indigenously
cryogenic third stage. The solid first and liquid seconddeveloped cryogenic engines will be used. ISRO has
stages of GSLV are carried over from the PSLV.Thealready designed and built a full scale cryogenic engine
GSLV is designed to place a payload offor use in the GSLV and tests on indigenous
approximately 500 kg in to an easterly low earthcryogenic engine have been successful.
orbit, or a 2200 kg pay load, into a geosynchronous