GSAT-10 launch put off due to minor glitch

A minor glitch has led to the postponement of the launch of India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-10.

The GSAT-10 was scheduled to be launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit by Ariane-5 launch vehicle from Kourou, French Guiana on September 22.

“While carrying out inspections the Arianspace has found that the air hose connecting the launch pad and the vehicle had a small damage. When such damage occurs some small particles of dust come out. We suspect that one gram of dust particle could have gone inside,” said  ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.
He added that Arianspace would conduct a review on Wednesday and that if the glitch is rectified the satellite would be launched on September 29.

The GSAT-10 weighing 3400 kg at lift-off is configured to carry a total of 30 communication transponders in normal C-band, lower extended C-band and Ku-band as well as a GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands. GSAT -10 is the second satellite to carry GAGAN payload after GSAT-8.

58 missions in next five years Radhakrishnan said that ISRO in the next five years has planned to launch 58 missions. “During the 12th five year plan ISRO has planned to launch 58 missions (25 launch vehicles and 33 satellites)” Radhakrishnan said.He added that the Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) powered by the indigenous cryogenic engine would be flight tested by the end of January 2013.

“We need to carry out two important tests before the launch one is the endurance test on the fuel booster turbo pump and the other in which the cryogenic engine will ignite in high altitude vacuum condition,” he added.

Radhakrishnan said that the space agency has learnt from the past failures and has taken corrective actions.