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News: ISRO’s GSLV-F10-EOS-3 failed due to a technical glitch in its cryogenic stage. Read The News Here.

Let’s Understand in a simple language:

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) Earth Observation Satellite 3 (EOS 3) was a powerful satellite that would provide a continuous image of the Indian landmass which would help in real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones, water bodies, crops, vegetation and forest cover. It was planned for March 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic and other technical details.

Why did the Launch fail?

The satellite GSLV-F10-EOS-3 was launched at the scheduled time and it was functioning properly in its first and second stages. However during the third stage, i.e the cryogenic stage the ignition did not happen due to a technical fault. This failure is shocking because India has had a successful launch of satellites since 2017.

Read about ISRO’s successful test of Hot Liquid Propellant For Vikas Engine. Click here

What is Cryogenic rocket engine?

A Cryogenic rocket engine is an engine that uses cryogenic fuel (i.e fuel that is stored at very low temperatures to maintain its liquid form) and an oxidizer. The cryogenic engines are very efficient. It is with the help of this engine that the USA could reach the moon. India too tried to get it. The cryogenic engine and its technology as a third stage were to be procured from Russia. However, Russia backed out after the USA objected to India-Russia deal as a violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 1992. As a result, India (ISRO) developed its own Cryogenic Upper Stage Project in 1994 and began creating its own cryogenic engine.

What is GSLV?

GSLV i.e the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch vehicle. It is designed and developed by ISRO to launch satellites and other space objects in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Expendable meaning the launch vehicle can be launched only once after which its components are discarded or destroyed in space. GSLV project was started in 1990.