Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has finalized the time for its 100th launch in Sriharikota, in Andhra Pradesh. The GSLV-F15 rocket will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Tirupati district on the 29th of this month at 6:23 am. This is a big target for ISRO as 2025 marks India's space programme in mission mode with PSLV-C60, Chandrayaan-4 and Bharatiya Antariksh station developments.
GSLV-F15 Integration Complete, Ready For Launch
As part of 100th launch, the GSLV-F15 rocket will send the NVS-02 satellite, which is part of the country's Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), into space. Scientists have completed the three-stage assembly process at the VAB at the second launch pad in SHAR and moved the rocket to the launch pad. The process of installing the NVS-02 satellite in the heat shield at the top has also been completed and prepared for the launch.
Last Mile Activity Underway in Sriharikota
As this is ISRO's 100th rocket launch from Sriharikota, huge arrangements are being made at SHAR to organize various programs. NAVIC is an indigenous regional navigation satellite system. It is useful for Indian aviation, shipping routes and military needs. It provides accurate information up to 1500 km even outside Indian Territory.
ISRO boasts an impressive array of accomplishments in space exploration, establishing itself as one of the most esteemed space agencies worldwide. Nonetheless, similar to any driven organization expanding the limits of science and technology, ISRO has faced several challenges.
ISRO's Significant Milestones
It’s essential to highlight that ISRO has a solid history of deriving lessons from its failures and integrating those insights into upcoming missions. Challenges are an unavoidable aspect of any ambitious space initiative, and ISRO's perseverance and commitment to surmount obstacles are praiseworthy. ISRO's path demonstrates India's advancing scientific and technological prowess. The agency keeps expanding the limits of space exploration, motivating a fresh generation of scientists and engineers.
Chandrayaan-3: India’s newest lunar endeavour, Chandrayaan-3, achieved a successful soft landing on the Moon’s south-pole on August 23, 2023. This accomplishment established India as the first nation to conduct a soft landing on the lunar south-pole and the fourth nation to land successfully on the Moon.
Mangalyaan: ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan, made history by becoming the first Asian nation and the first in the world to successfully reach Mars orbit on its first attempt. This landmark accomplishment highlighted India's technological strength and efficiency in space exploration.
Chandrayaan-1: This mission identified water molecules on the Moon's surface, transforming our knowledge of the Moon's makeup and prospects for exploration ahead.
GSAT series: ISRO has effectively deployed several communication satellites in the GSAT series, delivering essential telecommunication services throughout India.
PSLV: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) stands as one of the most dependable launch vehicles globally, having effectively deployed many satellites into orbit.
ISRO's Significant Setbacks
Chandrayaan-2: While the orbiter part of Chandrayaan-2 succeeded, the lander, Vikram, lost contact just before its scheduled landing on the moon's surface. This setback offered important insights for upcoming missions.
GSAT-6A: The GSAT-6A launch did not succeed because of a technical issue in the upper stage of the GSLV Mk III rocket. This setback prompted a detailed inquiry and resulting enhancements in the launch vehicle.
