India launched its latest communication satellite, GSAT-6, using a homegrown cryogenic engine

India on Thursday launched its latest communication satellite, GSAT-6, using a homegrown cryogenic engine.

The first launch using the cryo engine was on January 5, 2014, after ISRO grappled with the high-end technology for two decades and triumphed after repeated failures.

What’s so special?
A cryogenic engine uses liquid oxygen at -253 degrees Celsius and liquid hydrogen at -183 degrees Celsius. This provides the thrust needed in the final stage of the rocket to put satellites, weighing two tonnes or more, into a geosynchronous orbit.

Power Provider ::
The cryogenic engine, used by ISRO in its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), is essential for launching heavier satellites.

India was earlier using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) system that dosen’t use cryogenic technology and can only put small satellites, weighing just over one tonne, into geosynchronous orbit.

The Elite Club ::
Mastering the cutting-edge technology puts India in the elite club of just six members. Only US, Russia, the European Space Agency, China and Japan have developed a cryogenic engine.

Project GSLV ::
India started the GSLV project in 1990 to become independent in launching geosynchronous satellites.
Earlier, the country depended on the US and Europe for launching its INSAT class satellites.

Even sky is not the limit ::
By repeating the success of January 5, 2015, with the launch of GSAT-6.

ISRO has a high-end technology at hand that makes interplanetary probes and even manned missions to space a possibility.

Source from India Defence News.