ISRO's Satellite INSAT-3DS Launched: The Story Behind GSLV Rocket's 'Naughty Boy' Nickname
This flawless mission underscored a pivotal moment for ISRO, as it demonstrated the maturation of the GSLV rocket technology, which has been colloquially dubbed the "naughty boy" due to its turbulent history of unsuccessful missions.
The successful launch of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS, by the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14) on Saturday (February 17) marked a significant achievement.
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From 'naughty boy' to a 'disciplined' one
This flawless mission underscored a pivotal moment for ISRO, as it demonstrated the maturation of the GSLV rocket technology, which has been colloquially dubbed the "naughty boy" due to its turbulent history of unsuccessful missions.
Speaking on the mission's success, the director emphasised the transformation of the GSLV rocket, describing it as "an obedient, disciplined boy" in contrast to its previous setbacks.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath expressed the agency's enhanced confidence following this accomplishment, particularly as the GSLV is slated for its next deployment in the NISAR mission, a collaborative effort with NASA.
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Why did GSLV get the moniker ¡®naughty boy¡¯?
The nickname "naughty boy" stems from the GSLV's track record, with four out of 15 previous launches encountering difficulties.
This starkly contrasts the impressive success rates of ISRO's PSLV and LVM-3 rockets. The primary challenge lies in the cryogenic stage of the GSLV, which utilises engines fueled by liquid hydrogen and oxygen, offering superior thrust compared to its predecessors.
The August 2021 failure of the GSLV-F10, carrying the earth observation satellite EOS-03, exemplifies this issue.
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Although the initial stages of the launch appeared to be working normally, the cryogenic engine did not ignite as planned.
This caused the rocket to deviate from its intended path. Similar incidents have happened before, such as with the GSLV-D3 in April 2010, which highlights the ongoing difficulties with cryogenic ignition.
Key achievement for ISRO
In contrast, the successful placement of the INSAT-3DS satellite, weighing 2274 kg, signifies a crucial milestone for ISRO.
IANS| Representational Image
Funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this mission aims to enhance meteorological observations, monitor land and ocean surfaces, facilitate weather forecasting, disaster warning, and satellite-aided Search and Rescue Services (SAR), thereby ensuring continuity of services provided by its predecessors, INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Kumar Debvrat is a copyeditor at Indiatimes, combining trending topics in India with unique human-interest stories. He has a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, enjoying both cricket and comic book movies.
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