Nellore: The countdown for India’s geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D5) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota began at 11.18 am on Saturday.
According to Isro spokesperson Devi Prasad Karnik, “The 29-hour countdown for Sunday’s launch, at the designated 4.18 pm, of GSLV-D5 carrying the 1,980 kilo GSAT-14 communication satellite, commenced as planned and is progressing smoothly.”
The GSLV-D5’s first mission attempt was aborted last year, on August 19, due to a leak in the fuel tank.
G-SAT to enable tele-education
The geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle GSLV-D5 that will be launched on Sunday will put Indian Space Research Organisation’s (Isro’s) advanced communication satellite, G-SAT 14, into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
After reaching GTO, G-SAT 14 will use its own propulsion system to reach its geostationary orbital home and will be stationed at 74 degree east longitude.
G-SAT 14 will help provide many satellite-based communication services to the country, including tele-education and tele-medicine.
GSLV-D5/G-SAT 14 will launch from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Isro rocket engineers are confident it will be a successful launch on Sunday.
