Homegrown Cryogenic Engine
The Indian Space Research Organization is hoping it’s launch of GSAT-4 on 15 April 2010, using a 4th stage cryogenic engine they developed themselves, will allow India to join the rocket launch club, via the BBC:
The new engine is being incorporated into the upper-stage of India’s Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
"It is a complex strategy technology," said Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Chairman K Radhakrishnan.
He said the rocket would send a heavy communications satellite into space on 15 April from the country’s launch pad at Sriharikota in eastern India.
Dr Radhakrishnan told reporters in Banglalore that the technology was home grown because "one country stopped another country in giving this technology to India".
India began developing cryogenic technology after Russia reneged on a deal to supply cryogenic engines in 1993 – following pressure from the United States, which believed India was using the technology to power missiles.
"The best reply is to… build your own technology," Dr Radhakrishnan said.
India has been using Russian engines to launch heavier satellites into space for some time. It joins the US, Russia, Japan and China in having developed cryogenic engines.
India hopes to emerge as a global player in the multi-billion dollar satellite launch market.
Adding another reliable launch service provider for heavy payloads will be a game-changer.
