India 2018

Scientific and Technological Developments 491
and SCRAMJET Engine Technology Demonstrator had their successful maiden
test flights. This apart, the launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
- Mark II (GSLV- Mk II) became the third consecutively successful launch of
GSLV carrying the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). Mars Orbiter
Mission (MOM) spacecraft of India completed two years in its orbit around
mars while Astro Sat, India's multi-wavelength observatory, successfully
completed one year in orbit.
Launch Vehicle Programme
PSLV, the Indian operational launcher, completed its thirty-eighth launch (PSLV-
C36). It was the thirty-seventh consecutive successful mission, proviing the
reliability of this vehicle in its class. GSLV (Mk-II), equipped with the indigenous
Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), successfully launched the country's latest
weather satellite, INSAT-3DR, on September 08, 2016. This mission (GSLV-F05)
further demonstrated the realibility of CUS engine and stage developed by
ISRO. This was the fourth flight of GSLV to use the indigenous CUS.
GSLV-MkIII-D1, the first development flight with new version of
Indigenous Cryogenic Engine, was successfully launched. This is a major step
towards enhancing our launch capability upto 4-tonne class of satellites into
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
This apart, research and development activities as part of the advanced
launch vehicle technology initiatives got a boost through the successful testing
of Reusable Launch Vehicle, RLV-TD and Scramjet engine technology
demonstrator (Scramjet Engine-TD) during the year. Besides, developmental
efforts on semi-cryogenic engine are also being pursued for further enhancing
the country's launch capability. Development of critical technologies for
undertaking human spaceflight has also made progress during the reporting
period.
Satellite Programme
Successful launch of IRNSS-1F and 1G, the sixth and seventh satellites of the
IRNSS Constellation, onboard PSLV-C32 and PSLV-C33 signifies the completion
of IRNSS constellation, which was dedicated to the nation. IRNSS satellites
employ the standard 1-1K structure with a power handling capability of around
1660 W and a lift-off mass of about 1,425 kg. Like their five predecessors, both
IRNSS-1F and 1G carry a navigation payload as well as a ranging payload. In
Orbit Tests (IOT) of navigation payload, ranging payload and TT&C transponder
of IRNSS-IF and IG were successfully completed during the year and the
satellites were cleared for navigation activities.
Space Science Programme
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), India's first inter-planetary mission, completed
two years in its orbit around Mars. The health parameters of Mars Orbiter
spacecraft are normal and all the five payloads are sending useful data. MOM
completed 1000 days in orbit. The Mars Colour Camera has produced nearly
600 images.