Since the failure of the third phase of the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket in August, the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) has fallen behind on the revised mission objectives following the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to no launch. Experts and people familiar with the matter said that with less than two months from the three planned launches, the space agency is unlikely to proceed as planned. Experts also said that the delay may affect India’s share of the global space market.

India only conducted two launches in 2021-the commercial PSLV mission in February was a success, and the GSLV launch in August failed because the third cryogenic phase of the launch vehicle did not start. In contrast, China has performed 40 launch missions this year, setting a global record. One of the main reasons for the delay is the impact of the global pandemic, especially the second wave of outbreaks in April, May and June. “Last year and early this year there were delays because Isro was unable to obtain all parts from various industries during the pandemic. However, now things are getting better and we can hope to see more releases. However, India is unlikely to be in a month and a half.

Three missions were completed in time. Also, if some launches were planned in November, the dates would have already been announced. Isro may promote a launch in December,” said Ajey Lele, a senior researcher at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Research and Analysis . According to its revised plan, Isro will use its main Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to launch two missions this year, carrying two Earth observation satellites EOS-04 and EOS-06 as the main payload.

The third mission is the first development flight of a new type of small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV), again carrying an earth observation satellite EOS-02. All three missions will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2021. There is usually a gap of several months between two launches—the shortest time between two launches in the past four years was 15 days, when two separate launch pads were used for the two launches. The SSLV is designed as a major commercial vehicle that provides on-demand launches for other agencies.

Its cost may be four times lower than PSLV, and it can be assembled by a team of six in 7 days, while a team of 600 people can take several months to assemble the PSLV. After two successful development flights, Isro announced the launch of the launch vehicle.

News Source : Hindustan Times