ISRO to flight test indigenous cryogenic engine in June 2012

Sriharikota: ISRO will flight test its indigenously developed cryogenic engine onboard a Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle by mid-2012.

"Our target is to launch the GSLV (D5) by June 2012 with indigenously developed cryogenic engine. Currently, a series of ground testing is on," Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters here.

Speaking after the successful launch of GSAT-12 onboard homegrown PSLV-C17 from here, he said the GSLV rocket would be used to launch communication satellite GSAT-14.

"We have had two failures GSLV-F06 and GSLV-D3. We have identified the reasons and corrective actions are being taken," he said.

GSLV-F06 was used to launch communications satellite GSAT-5P in December 2010 while GSLV-D3 to launch GSAT-4 in April 2010, but both missions failed following some problems in the complex cryogenic stage.

On the progress of Chandrayaan-II mission, ISRO Space Commission Member and Director T K Alex said it was expected in the beginning of 2014.

"It is in progress. This time we are examining the lander, rover and the orbitor. The designing stage has been completed. The prototype of the rover is being made in Bangalore and the testing is going on," he said.

Russian Space Agency was involved in the developing of the rover. "By 2014 beginning, GSLV will launch Chandrayaan-2, estimated to cost Rs 425 crore", he said.

Images: ISRO successfully launches GSAT-12 communication satellite