Space Shuttles

                                      As I already said ISRO is proud of PSLV in the same way NASA is proud of Space Shuttles.Of course, now NASA ended working on space shuttles.Space shuttles have great history of 30 years(1981-2011).But due to increased complexity  and cost NASA stopped working on it.NASA is trying for most advanced crew vehicles by which cost reduces to a great extent.Of course, NASA faced ups and downs with space shuttles.It lost two shuttles named Columbia and Challenger.We lost Kalpana Chawla during the disaster of Columbia on1st Feb,2003.At last NASA ended its space shuttle program after successful mission of Atlantis and by giving the statement

            "Space shuttles changed the way we view our world and we view ourselves "

Space shuttle during launch (left one) and the craft which come back to earth(rigth one) 

Reasons for failure of last two GSLV's

                                       ISRO got 19 consecutive successes with PSLV,but things does not went same for GSLV.Out of 7 launches,it recorded only 4 successes.Reason is quite simple increase in complexity of vehicle.Generally,the problem for GSLV is its cryogenic engine.We used to import that part from Russia in earlier days.But in GSLV D3 launched on 15th April2010,We used indigeneous cryogenic engine which led to failure of launch.
                                       To avoid risk factor,we imported cryogenic engine from Russia again for next launch.During countdown itself we observed some leakage of fuel.The GSLV F06 launched on 25th dec 2010 again was a failure.The problem this time was not cryogenic engine, problem is in first stage itself.The problem occured is very minute,but the result is same.The problem is after completion of first stage,it was not seperated from the rocket.This time ISRO was very serious on the launch of GSLV,lets hope the result will be positive.

                                          (image taken near chennai after failure of launch)

Controversy over third launch pad?

                                  News over the controversy of third launch pad is spreading.There is increasing competition among states to new project of third launch showing some reasons like security,terrorism etc.One should not forget that ISRO is pride of our nation but not for any state or union territory.Government of India and ISRO should take proper decision on new launch pad considering their advantages as a main concern but not politics.I strictly oppose politics in matters which make India to feel pride. Thrid launch pad should be in a place which is highly secure and good geographical conditions

Third Launch pad for ISRO

                                  With the recent successes of ISRO, the need for third launch pad is increasing.ISRO officials spoke to Prime Minister's principle secertary Mr. TKA Nair about the requirement of third launch.Since number projects being taken up by ISRO is increasing day by day two launch pads are not sufficient.Due to consequent successes of PSLV,there have been requests from a number of countries for launching their satellites in India which increases the revenue of ISRO by great extent.
                                              ISRO is planning to have reusable launch vehicles,Human Space Flight Mission,GSLV Mark-IIII etc for this purpose third launch pad is necessary.Frequency of launches will also increase with one more launch pad. Third launch pad will be completed by 2015 if started now.So, Lets hope for bright future of our Indian Space Program.

PSLV

                                           Generally all  Indians say "We are proud of ISRO".But ISRO say "We are proud of PSLV". What I mean to say is PSLV is  mainly responsible for present situation of ISRO.  From the establishment of ISRO, PSLV was launched 20 times. PSLV has a record 19 consecutive  successes. PSLV was a failure only on its maiden launch. To be very particular, Launch of PSLV is success only but it failed to place satellite in a correct orbit.
                                           PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit.PSLV is a 45 m long, four stage launch vechicle. It has solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. 
                                           India's most prestigious satellites CHANDRAYAAN, MEGHA TROPIQUES are placed in orbit by PSLV only. ISRO has a record of launching satellites more economically than any other country and the main reason is PSLV itself.
                                        You can watch internal structure of PSLV , Order of stages by cklicking on the link http://www.isro.org/scripts/pslv-flash.aspx.

GSLV

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV)-Mark I&II , is capable of placing INSAT–II class of satellites (2000 – 2,500 kg) into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).  GSLV is a three stage vehicle GSLV is 49 m tall,with 414 t lift  off weight.It has a maximum diameter of 3.4 m at the payload fairing. First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-ons.                         Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) is a cryostage.   The vehicle develops a lift off thrust  of 6573 kn.

The first flight of GSLV took place from SHAR on April 18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1. It was followed by six more launches , GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003 ,(GSAT-2  1825 kg), GSLV-F01 on September 20, 2004 (EDUSAT 1950 kg),GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006, GSLV-F04 on September 2, 2007 (INSAT-4CR   2130 kg), GSLV-D3 on April 15, 2010 and GSLV-F06 on December 25, 2010.

Typical Parameters of GSLV  Lift-off weight 414 tonne  Pay Load 2 to 2.5 Tonne in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)  Height 49 metre source: www.isro.org

Father of Indian Space program

                     Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (12 August 1919 – 31 December 1971) is considered to be the father of the Indian Space program.The establishment of the  ISRO was one of his greatest achievements.
He successfully convinced the government of the importance of a space programme for a developing country like India after the Russian Sputnik launch. Dr. Sarabhai emphasized the importance of a space programme in his quote:                               "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight."
                               "But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."


                                After his huge efforts Space centre was established in Thumba,Kerala. He died due to heart attack on 31st Dec,1971 at Thiruvananthapurum.The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), which is the Indian Space Research Organization's lead facility for launch vehicle development located in Thiruvananthapurum, capital of Kerala state, is named in his memory. He was the guru and also inspirer of Bharata Ratna Abdul Kalam. Government of India released a stamp of Vikram Sarabhai (you can see it below)

India in Space Technology till now

                                The initial years  after getting independence in 1947 were mainly concentrated on being self sufficient on food and agriculture. Later as the world is developing, significant importance was given to Research and Development.India started Space program was started in early 1960's. To boost the development of India in Space sector, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was established in 1969. First Indian Satellite, Aryabhatt was launched (April 19, 1975). From then ISRO reached certain landmarks with many indigenious efforts.
Some of the Achievements of ISRO are:
# Chandrayaan 1 was successfully completed
# 19 consecutive successes of PSLV's 
# One among the few countries which launched latest whether satellites