India launches ‘Bahubali’; inches closer to human space flight in 2022

India successfully launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-29 on Wednesday with its heaviest rocket — Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) — in a copybook style. GSLV Mark III, is being referred to as ‘Bahubali’ because it has double the carrying capacity of its predecessor, GSLV Mark II.

The GSLV-Mk III rocket on its second developmental flight slung the 3,423 kg GSAT-29 satellite in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from where it would be taken up to its final geostationary orbit.

The whole mission involved an outlay of about ₹500 crore (₹300 crore for the rocket and ₹200 crore for GSAT-29).

It will now be part of ISRO’s fleet of operational vehicles, which includes the highly successful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Explaining the mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Sivan said: "The second successful mission of GSLV-Mk III marks the entry of the rocket into operational phase after completing the developmental phase. This mission is important regarding GSLV-Mk III and GSAT satellite series.”

This is the second development flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, which will be used for India’s human space flight programme scheduled for 2022 and Chandrayaan-2 in January 2019.

"The first operational mission of GSLV-Mk III will be none other than the second moon mission — Chandrayaan — slated for January 2019," Sivan said, adding that the rocket will be used for India's human space mission planned for 2022.

Speaking on the first of the two unmanned space mission, a top official of Indian space agency said, it will happen in December 2019.

Speaking to reporters post successful launch of communication satellite GSAT-29 K Sivan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said there will be two unmanned missions before the actual human space mission in 2022.

"The first of the two unmanned mission will be in December 2019. Efforts are being taken to get the GSLV-Mk III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) human rated," Sivan said.

According to P Kunhikrishnan, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), the Orbiter (equipment that orbits the moon), Lander (which is dropped on to the moon's surface) and Rover (which motors on the moon's surface to conduct experiments) to be carried by Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft are under various stages of development.

He said the moon lander is completing qualification tests.

Sivan said the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft will be transported to the moon by a GSLV-Mk III rocket in January 2019.

The ISRO Chairman said the space agency is working to realise 10 missions before January 2019.

With the success of the space mission, India currently has three operational rockets — the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), GSLV-Mk II with a lift-off mass of 415 tonnes and a carrying capacity of 2.5 tonnes, and GSLV-Mk III with a lift off mass of 640 tonnes and a carrying capacity of four tonnes

The Indian space agency had flown a similar rocket on June 5, 2017 with GSAT-19 satellite. Prior to that ISRO had flown another rocket with 3.7 tonne dummy payload in 2014 to test its in-flight structural stability and aerodynamics.

According to Sivan, GSAT-29 with a life span of 10 years is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users, including those in remote areas.

He said the satellite will be used for linking Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states under the Digital India programme.

In addition, several new technologies such as Q/V-band payload, data transmission through optical communication link will be demonstrated. This will help in realising future advanced satellites, Sivan added.

The satellite also carries geo-high resolution camera.

"The camera has a resolution of 55 metres. Once it works successfully the camera will be fixed in our weather satellites," Sivan said.

According to Sivan, GSAT-29 will be raised to its intended final orbit in three phases.

"The first orbit raising operation will be carried out on Thursday," he said.

Sivan said a combination high throughput satellites — GSAT-19, GSAT-29, GSAT-11 and GSAT-20 — will provide high speed internet as part of Digital India programme.

Precisely at 5.08 pm the GSLV-Mk III rocket with a strong deep growl rose into the sky breaking free from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The 43.4-metre tall rocket weighing about 640 tonnes furiously rushed to the skies with a thick orange flame at its rear carrying the GSAT-29.

The GSLV-Mk III with a capacity to carry four-tonne satellite, is a three stage/engine rocket with two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel. The second stage is a core liquid fuel booster and the third is the cryogenic engine.

Just over 16 minutes into its flight, the rocket put into orbit the GSAT-29 satellite and became part of Indian space agency history.

With the success of the space mission, India currently has three operational rockets — the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), GSLV-Mk II with a lift-off mass of 415 tonnes and a carrying capacity of 2.5 tonnes, and GSLV-Mk III with a lift off mass of 640 tonnes and a carrying capacity of four tonnes.

Sivan said efforts are on to increase the GSLV-Mk III's carrying capacity to six tonnes in a gradual manner.

India puts into orbit foreign satellites for a fee using its lighter rocket PSLV. Revenue for launching satellites depends on the weight of the satellite — higher the weight, higher will be the revenue.

Foreign customers are yet to come for GSLV-Mk II rocket.