GSAT-5P launch put off after leak in cryogenic engine

Chennai, Dec 19 (PTI) The launch of India's latest
communication satellite GSAT-5P tomorrow from the spaceport of
Sriharikota in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was
deferred on Sunday after a minor leak in the Russian cryogenic
engine on board the GSLV-F06 launch vehicle.
The leak was identified during the pre-countdown checks
for the launch by the home-made Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) powered by Russian cryogenic engine,
Indian Space Research Organisation spokesperson S Satish told
PTI.
"Due to a minor leak in one of the valves of the
cryogenic stage the launch has been postponed..", he said.
The satellite was planned to be launched from Sriharikota
on December 20 at 4:01 pm and the 29 hour-countdown sequence
was scheduled to commence at 11 am today.
But due to the leak in the cryogenic engine, the Launch
Authorisation Board, which met today to review the results of
pre-countdown checks, did not authorise it, he said.
The revised schedule for the launch would be firmed up
after ascertaining the cause for the leak, remedial actions
and due verifications, he added.
The rocket, seventh mission of GSLV-FO6, has major
changes incorporated as compared to the previous flights. It
includes loading 15 tonnes of propellants in its third stage
of flight and uprating of the third stage thrust by 26 per
cent, ISRO said.
GSAT-5P with 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended
C-band transponders is meant for augmenting communication
services currently provided by Indian National Satellite
System (INSAT). It is meant to boost TV, telemedicine and
tele-education, and telephone services.
While the first five flights of GSLV utilised the
cryogenic stage procured from Russia, the sixth flight GSLV-D3
conducted in April this year did not succeed due to the
failure of the Fuel Booster Turbo Pump (FBTP) of the
indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
ISRO has launched six GSLV rockets of which GSLV-FO2 in
July 2006 and GSLV-D3 sent in April this year were
unsuccessful. PTI VIJ
EKA