09 Dec 2018

GSLV Mark III Launcher and GSAT -29 Satellite

Posted in All That Matters By attemptnwin On December 9, 2018

GSLV Mark III stands for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III. With the successful placing of the communication satellite GSAT-29 into geostationary orbit, GSLV Mark III has become India’s most strong satellite launch vehicle in terms of its carrying capacity. Both the satellite and launch vehicle are designed and developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Features of the GSLV Mark III launch vehicle

•   GSLV Mark III has double carrying capacity compared to its predecessor GSLV Mark II. GSLV-29 with a weight of 3,423 kg is the heaviest satellite ever launched from India.
•   Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III will be used for the Chandrayan -2 scheduled in January 2019 and India’s human space flight programme scheduled for 2022.
•   Prior to placing GSAT -29 into orbit, GSLV Mark III had in its first attempt carried GAST-19 on board in June 2017. This was India’s first satellite launch vehicle to be functioned with a cryogenic engine that used liquid propellants — liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The cryogenic technology is a complicated technology and ISRO developed the same indigenously.
•   GSLV Mark III has capacity to carry four tonnes into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It is an elliptical orbit around the earth used to move a satellite between two circular orbits. It can be used to place up to eight tonnes in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
•   It is a three stage satellite launch vehicle. GSLV Mark III generates its energy from two S200 solid motors, one L 100 liquid core stage and the third C25 liquid cryogenic stage. It has a height of 43.494 m and weight of 640 tonnes.
•   With the successful launch, the developmental stage of GSLV Mk III vehicle programme is complete and the vehicle enters its operational phase.

Features of GAST-29 communication satellite

•   GAST-29 communication satellite is a multiband and multi-beam satellite. The satellite that carries Ka and Ku band transponders will meet the communication requirement of people from hilly and geographically inaccessible places like North Eastern region and Jammu and Kashmir.
•   The satellite launcher placed the GSAT -29 satellite in its orbit in 16 minutes, 28 seconds of launch. GSAT- 29 is at 190 Km perigee (closest distance to Earth) and 35,975 km apogee ( furthest distance from Earth).
•   The Geo High-Resolution Camera in the satellite will support high-resolution imaging. An optical communication payload is used for the first time for data transmission.