South Asia Satellite: Scientists hold their breath hours before lift off

BENGALURU: With barely hours left for the lift off of the South Asia Satellite, anxious scientists are working meticulously at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota.

Isro is confident of the launch vehicle-the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-F09 (GSLV-F09)- which has already been moved to the launchpad on Thursday. So far as the satellite goes, the agency has an unmatched record in building communication satellites. "The launch vehicle has been standardised and we have no doubts about its abilities today," a source said.

Crucial Ignition

According to the mission profile, once launched, it will take about 25 minutes for the final separation of the satellite which will then be guided to its orbit- 48º East longitude in the Geostationary orbit.

However, a crucial step before the final separation, the ignition of the cryogenic upper stage will be a breathtaking moment, given that the GSLV family of launch vehicles do not have the same track record as Isro's workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Isro Chairman Kiran Kumar, who landed in Chennai on Friday told the media that all activities are proceeding smoothly. He has, however, remained mum on the project, just like most scientists associated with it.

Radio Silence

For a project that has garnered a lot of attention in India, and even from the Chinese media, sources in the know said that no major participation is expected from any of the countries that will benefit from the satellite: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

They have also remained tight-lipped about the project, with no public statements made as on date. Yet, the affair is going to be completely internal with heightened security that has restricted invitees, mostly Indian scientists from Isro and domestic diplomats.

Isro too, has remained mum on the project with even the basic details not made public as has been the space agency's practice for all its launches. Two sources confirmed to TOI that the review board has cleared the launch and that the fuelling process will begin early on Friday.

While the media is not allowed to cover the event from the spot, even State-run Doordarshan (DD) is unlikely to relay the event live.

"We are not aware about the reasons, but there are instructions and we are only following it," a source in Isro said, without wanting to be named, adding that there are clear "instructions" not to speak with the media about the project.