GSAT-2 ORBIT RAISING MANEUVER SUCCESSFUL
The Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after successfully carrying
out the second experimental flight of GSLV-D2 and placing GSAT-2
in geo-synchronous transfer orbit (GTO) last evening, executed
today with pin-point precision the first maneuver of raising the
orbit of the satellite. The GSAT-2 now orbits the earth every
13 hours and 20 minutes. Multiple orbit raising maneuvers are
needed to move the satellite from the GTO to the geo-synchronous
position.
The Master Control
Facility at Hassan in Karnataka will carryout more maneuvers in
the coming days to place the satellite in its space-slot as well
as test the systems on board. The satellite is functioning normally.
The successful
flight of GSLV-D2 is particularly significant as it is a step
towards making the satellite operational and putting it to commercial
use. Nearly 150 Indian industries both public and private were
involved in building most components and hardware of the GSLV.
Though, the cryogenic upper stage was supplied by Russia, the
complex electronics systems that controls the functioning of the
stage, were developed by ISRO.
The Minister
for Science and Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi hailing the
successful launch of GSLV-D2, in a message said that we have proved
to the world, India is second to none in technology. He said the
day is not far when we will be launching our INSATs with GSLV
from Sriharikota.
The Minister
of State for Department of Space, Shri S.B. Mookherjee told the
Lok Sabha today that the GSLV-D2 has demonstrated our capability
to launch 2000 kg-class communication satellites.
