ISRO to launch GSAT-9 using GSLV Satellite.It is going to be launched at SDSC SHAR ( Satish Dhawan Space Centre or Sriharikota High Altitude Range ). It is rocket launch centre located in srihari kota, andhra pradesh. The countdown is expected to start today afternoon and the GSLV rocket with the satellite is expected to blast off from the second launch pad around 5.30 p.m. on Friday the 5 May, 2017 . On this occasion, let me remind recent victory of ISRO. It had launched 104 satellites into space at a time. Through this, it has also fetched foreign currency to India.
1. Why GSAT-9 ( its contribution to India)?
Geosynchronous satellites are communication satellites. Now GSAT -9 is used to improve communication between SAARC countries. This is not the first GSAt satellite. ISRo has launched these satellites before for broadcast. If this satellite was successfully launched into space, that would be a greater advantage for India to improve communication with neighboring countries. Communication to Banglades, Bhutan, Afghanistan will be improved. India need not relay on satellites of other countries for this purpose. The net weight of satellite is 2230 kgs. INSAT series was also used by ISRO for communication. These were used earlier.
2. Why GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) and not any other launch vehicle?.
When GSAT is a satellite, GSLV is rocket used to launch satellite into a specific orbit. Satellite thus launched will revolve in the orbit. Rocket mainly contains payload that is satellite and fuel for propulsion. GSLV satellites have communication satellites as main payload. This time ISRO is also using GSLV instead of its trusted PSLV ( Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The capacity of GSLV is more when compared to PSLV. In the PSLV, we first ignite the core motor and then vehicle lifts off .But in the GSLV, we first ignite the four liquid strap-on motors and check performance.
3. Electric Propulsion
Propulsion means movement. As discussed earlier, rocket has fuel. Fuel is ignited for the movement of rocket. This is called chemical propulsion. Ii works on the law of newtons third law. This law states that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In this satellite ISRO used electrica propulsion. electrical power is used to accelerate a propellant. Electric propulsion use much less propellant than chemical rockets .They have a higher exhaust speed. But the electric power available is limited. So, the thrust is much weaker compared to chemical rockets, but electric propulsion can provide a small thrust for a long timeElectric propulsion can achieve high speeds over long periods.They can work better than chemical rockets for some deep space missions. ISRO is now using electric propulsion in GSLV. This is for the first time for ISRO to send a satellite into space by using electric propulsion. This is not an experiment. Electric propulsion is matured and widely used technology. Russia has been using this technology for decades. There are two types of electric propulsion. They are ion propulsion and plasma propulsion.
Hopefully, ISRO launch GSAT – 9 satellite into space using GSLV rocket successfully. Don’t miss to watch satellite launch.
