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GSLV-D2 launch put off

By P. Sunderrajan

BANGALORE JAN. 6. The launch of the second development flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D2) has been put off by a month.

The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, K. Kasturirangan, today confirmed that the launch would take place in the second half of March, instead of February.

Though he did not give any reason for the delay, senior ISRO officials said that it was not because of any "serious" problem. "Such changes are not unusual considering the complexities involved."

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Kasturirangan said the second development flight would carry a larger payload of 1800 kg, compared to 1,540 kg carried by the first development flight in April last year. In addition, the vehicle would have improved thrust in all the three stages.

The second flight was of great significance because it would pave the way for declaring GSLV operational.

As per the ISRO plans, the GSLV would be declared operational only after two successful development flights in sequence.

The GSLV is the most technologically challenging mission undertaken under the Indian space programme so far.

It took two attempts before the first development flight took off.

The operationalisation of GSLV would herald a significant milestone towards the establishment of indigenous capability for launching communication satellites such as INSAT, which are now launched from other countries.

Dr. Kasturirangan also announced that the ISRO was set to launch Edusat, an exclusive satellite for educational purposes, in two years to 30 months. The mission had been approved by the Government in August.

The ISRO Chairman, also president of the ninetieth Indian Science Congress, which is under way here, said over 6,000 persons, including 71 foreign scientists, participated in the ISC.

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