ISRO to flag off fully Indigenous Cryogenic Stage today for integration in Sriharikota

The Fully Indigenous cryogenic upper stage (final flight stage) is all set to be flagged off on March 27 from the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli for integration in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Meanwhile, the heavy-lift GSLV Mk-III which is said to be the next generation launch vehicle of ISRO is capable and may place four-tonne class satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

The information about the development was confirmed by PV Venkitakrishnan, director, ISRO Propulsion Complex. He told that the Express that the cryogenic stage was fully integrated with the sub-systems and would be sent to Sriharikota next Monday. He also added that the other two stages -- liquid core stage (L110) and solid strap-on motors (S200) -- had reached Sriharikota and had been integrated.

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Earlier, the cryogenic upper stage, code named C-25 D, passed the long duration endurance test for 640 seconds conducted at the Mahendragiri Propulsion Complex.

With this development, India is only the sixth nation who have mastered the complex cryogenic technology. ISRO has successfully ground tested its indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage for GSLV MkIII on January 25, 2017. 

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The development of a cryogenic stage has a unique design challenges, with liquid Hydrogen stored at -253 deg C and liquid Oxygen stored at -195 deg C in its tanks. To store these cryogenic fluids, special multi-layer insulation is provided for the tanks and other structures.

The ISRO had planned to launch the heavy-lift vehicle carrying GSAT-19, a communication satellite, on April 20, but now the sources said the launch would take place only by May end or June first week.