India developing tech to launch 6-tonne satellite

India's space scientists are developing semi-cryogenic propulsion technology using kerosene that is expected to give the country the capability to launch six-tonne class satellite, almost three times the weight its rockets can currently handle.

The cryogenic technology uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, whereas in semi-cryogenic technology, instead of liquid hydrogen, pure kerosene (aviation-grade) is used, Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan said.

"...The cost becomes far, far less (in semi-cryogenic technology using kerosene)," he said in his inaugural address to the 23rd national convention of aerospace engineers with the theme 'Infrastructure development for growth of civil aviation and aerospace technology in India'.

The semi-cryogenic technology, part of ISRO's efforts to cut down costs of space projects, would give a better density impulse which makes it a "good candidate for the booster status".

The technology would enable the home-built GSLV rocket to launch six-tonne class satellites. India's current GSLV-Mk II has the capacity to launch only satellites weighing a maximum of 2.2 tonnes, Radhakrishnan said.

When asked about launch date of GSLV-D3, Radhakrishnan said, "You will hear about it in the next few days."

ISRO officials earlier indicated that the space agency is looking forward to launch the satellite from Sriharikota in December.

GSLV-D3 would use indigenous cryogenic engine and stage -- that the scientists were working on from 1996 -- for the first time. "It's a major milestone in the development of a sophisticated propulsion technology in the country", he said.

The homemade cryogenic engine and stage would make India totally self-reliant in all aspects of launch vehicle technology.

Indigenous development of cryogenic stage was taken up for achieving self-reliance in cryogenic propulsion technology, following the technology denial regimes in early 1990s.

GSLV flights that India launched so far used Russian cryogenic stages.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO was also getting ready for static test of GSLV-Mk III, which is designed to launch four tonne satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.