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PSLV-C17 to Launch GSAT-12 on July 15

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ISRO press release:

June 30, 2011

PSLV-C17 to Launch GSAT-12 on July 15, 2011

Preparations for the forthcoming launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) carrying India's communication satellite GSAT-12 are progressing well at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The launch of PSLV-C17/GSAT-12 mission is targeted for July 15, 2011.

GSAT-12 Communication satellite with a mass of 1410 kg at lift-off, has 12 Extended C-band transponders. PSLV-C17 will inject GSAT-12 into an elliptical Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) of 284 km perigee and 21,000 km apogee. Subsequently, the Liquid Apogee Motor of the satellite will be used to raise both apogee and perigee of the Satellite to place it in a circular orbit of 36,000 km altitude.

All the four stages of the launch vehicle have been fully assembled at the Vehicle Assembly Building at Shriharikota. Presently, the vehicle is going through various levels of electrical checkout operations and reviews.

GSAT-12 satellite has already undergone necessary testing at Shriharikota before commencing the filling of propellants in the Satellite on June 28, 2011. On July 3, 2011, GSAT-12 Satellite is planned to be integrated with PSLV-C17 vehicle at the Vehicle Assembly Building, after clearance by the Launch Authorisation Board.

On July 10, 2011, PSLV-C17 Vehicle (with the GSAT-12 Satellite onboard) is planned to be moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Second Launch Pad.

On July 13, 2011 the 52.5 hour Countdown for the launch is expected to commence after launch rehearsals, clearance from Mission Readiness Review Teams and Launch Authorisation Board.

The lift-off of PSLV-C17 from the second launch pad is scheduled on July 15, 2011 between 16:48 and 17:08 hrs.
 
Now PSLV is being used for launching GSLV satellites, but GSLV is much cheaper.
 
What are GSLV satellites?

And GSLV missions are more expensive than PSLV missions.

Not GSLV satellites, but Geostationary satellites. The satellite that is being send is not polar satellite but Geostationary satellite using PSLV vehicle the same way chandrayaan is sent using PSLV. It might be economically feasible for low weight payloads but not necessarily for high weight payloads.
 
What are GSLV satellites?

And GSLV missions are more expensive than PSLV missions.

A geosynchronous orbit (sometimes abbreviated GSO) is an orbit around the Earth with an orbital period that matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period.[1] The synchronization of rotation and orbital period means that for an observer on the surface of the Earth, the satellite appears to constantly hover over the same meridian (north-south line) on the surface, moving in a slow oscillation alternately north and south with a period of one day, so it returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day.

A circular geosynchronous orbit in the plane of the Earth's equator has a radius of approximately 42,164 km (26,199 mi) from the center of the Earth. A satellite in such an orbit is at an altitude of approximately 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above mean sea level

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geosynchronous orbit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Now PSLV is being used for launching GSLV satellites, but GSLV is much cheaper.

Actually PSLV is much cheaper thanks to no cryogenic engine but carries lower payload than GSLV mk 1/2.

GSLV will be a great success story as well we need better project management like PSLV. There is no design fault because earlier missions were successful. Some minor problem caused last mission failure. PSLV team must look at GSLV.

Above all the new GSLV Mk III coming next year.
 
I just hope the ISRO has done the calculations right this time. GSAT is usualy launched from GSLV but since GSLV is not giving proper results ISRO is playing it with PSLV.

However even if its a success, it wont go to the heights of GSLV orbits and hence life will be short compared to GSLV launch.

GB
 

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