The communication satellite GSAT-14 was just launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota island using the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) Mk.II D5 rocket. All the stages of the rocket performed as predicted and after less than 20 minutes the satellite successfully separated from the last stage.

The development of the GSLV by ISRO, the Indian space agency, was very long, being started in 1990. Its purpose is to have an Indian carrier rocket capable of launching satellites to be placed in geosynchronous orbit. This rocket uses various components of the reliable PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) such as the boosters and the Vikas engines. For the third stage, ISRO initially used a Russian one but in 1994 started developing one on its own.

The history of the GSLV is complex and full of problems. The GSLV Mk I has been used for five launches between 2001 and 2010, but three of them failed, in two cases with the destruction of the rocket and the satellite they carried and another with the placement of the satellite in a orbit lower than expected, too low to be able to fix it with the satellite’s engines. The latest launch was a partial success but luckily the satellite was placed in an orbit close enough to the expected one that it could be correct.

The GSLV Mk II was used for a launch in 2010 but it was a failure and the long break allowed making significant design improvements. This version of the rocket uses as the EC-7.5 third stage, which uses a cryogenic propellant, meaning gas liquefied and stored at very low temperatures, in the specific case liquid hydrogen and oxygen at -253 degrees Celsius.

The launch of the GSAT-14 satellite, which replaces the old GSAT-3 was launched in 2004 offering improved broadcasting services, was scheduled for August 2013. However, a serious propellant leak from the second stage of the rocket caused the cancellation of the launch. Being toxic substances, it was necessary to replace various components of the rocket that could have been contaminated besides the second stage.

After many problems, this time the GSLV rocket worked perfectly and the first comments by ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan are of understandable pride. India has become independent for the launches of satellites in geostationary orbit too and will be able to offer these services to other nations strengthening its position in this industry.

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