Isro conducts GSLV MK III launch test in Tamil Nadu

Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) conducted the static test of its liquid core stage (L110) of GSLV MK III launch vehicle for 150 seconds at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) test facility at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.

While yesterday's test was originally targeted for 200 seconds, it was stopped at 150 seconds since a deviation in one of the parameters was observed, the space agency, which has its headquarters in Bangalore, said in a statement.

"About 500 important parameters were monitored during the static test. The next static test for 200 seconds will be conducted after analysis of this data," it said.

GSLV MK III launch vehicle is being developed for launching four tonne class of satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Measuring 17 metres in length and four metres in diameter, L110 is an earth storable liquid propellant stage with a propellant loading of 110 tonnes.

L110 stage uses two high-pressure Vikas engines in a clustered configuration and draws its heritage from the second stage of PSLV and GSLV and strap-ons of GSLV.

"While in PSLV and GSLV, the liquid stage with single engine configuration burns for 150 seconds, the GSLV-MkIII requires burning for 200 seconds in a twin engine configuration", it was noted. 

A Tirunelveli report said Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan, who was present during the test, said the flight testing of GSLV MK III would be done in 2012-13.

Earlier, the first stage of solid motor testing was successfully conducted at Sriharikota.