Jubilant ISRO scientists hailed the successful launch of India’s heaviest rocket GSLV MKIII-D1 and called it “Bahubali” and “obedient boy”. ISRO launched the country’s heaviest satellite — GSAT-19 — on its first developmental flight. “Proud to say ISRO has given birth to a Bahubali,” said Mr Tapan Misra, director of Space Applications Centre (SAC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as chuckles broke out at the mission control centre in Sriharikota. Mr PV Venkita Krishnan, director of ISRO propulsion complex, described the launch vehicle as a “game-changer” and said it had made “quantum leaps in terms of hardware”. There were more of “swadeshi components” and “minimal” hardware from outside, he said. “It has been written that this rocket is monstrous. But it really is a giant vehicle, in terms of capacity and payload capability,” he said. Another senior scientist, involved in the development of cryogenic stage, called the launch vehicle “smart and the most obedient boy”. “It’s a technological marvel and a masterpiece which has added almost 56% of incremental velocity and placed the satellite in the GTO (geosynchronous transfer orbit) by giving a total incremental velocity of 37,000 kmph,” he said. With success, India has “mastered” the complex and high performance cryogenic technology and joined an elite group of a few countries that possess this technology, he added. Mr K Sivan, director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, said the successful launch marked the commencement of two major technologies. “One is indigenous 100% desi heavy-lift launch vehicle which is capable of lifting twice the capability of (existing) ISRO vehicles. “Second is advanced high turnout satellite which presents higher data rate. These two technologies in the days to come are going to create revolution in the application of space technology for common man in a cost effective and more efficient way,” he said.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/
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