GSLV D-6

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 27^th August Successfully put in orbit
  GSAT-6 communication satellite staging yet another spectacular launch of three-stage heavy weight rocket GSLV D-6 with indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
• The GSLV D-6 is the second successful consecutive launch of the GSLV series with indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
• ISRO had on January 5, 2014 launch GSLV D-5, after a similar attempt failed in 2010.
• About 17 minute after the 49.1 metre high spacecraft lifted off raised from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre with a lift-off weight of 416 tonne at 4.52 pm, the rocket placed GSAT-6 in the intended orbit.
• The satellite would be eventually fine tuned into the final geostationary orbit at 83 degree East longitude. GSAT-6 will provide S-band communication services in the country.
• The satellite would be eventually fine tuned into the final geostationary orbit at 83 degree East longitude. GSAT-6 will provide S-band communication services in the country.
• The 2,117 kg-weighing GSAT-6 communication satellite is aimed at primarily benefiting the country’s strategic users and other specific authorised users. The cuboid-shaped satellite with a mission life of nine years also includes a first-of-its-kind S-Band unfurlable antenna with a diameter of six metre. This is the largest antenna ISRO has ever made for a satellite.
• The launch is the nine time ISRO was using GSLV rocket, this is the third time the rocket was being launched with indigenous cryogenic upper stage. “GSLV-D6 flight is significant since it intends to continue the testing of CUS
• The cryogenic stage was “technically a very complex system” compared to solid or earth-storable liquid propellant stages due to its use of propellants at extremely low temperatures and the associated thermal and structural challenges
• A cryogenic rocket stage “is more efficient and provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant it burns” compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant rocket stages
• The cryogenic stages fires for a nominal duration of 720 seconds during the launch.

How is it an important milestone for ISRO

• By using India’s GSLV and not going for space agencies abroad for launching satellites weighing up to 2 tonne would help save on foreign exchange
• GSLV will cost just one third of the cost we have to spend on foreign agencies

The successful launch of the GSAT-6 satellite by GSLV-D6, earned the launcher the “operational rocket” tag, will signal joint collaboration between India’s ISRO and NASA of the United States. NASA ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR) is expected to be launched on board GSLV-D6 in 2020-21. NISAR would be optimised for studying hazards and global environment change.