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Yesterday, I saw an the launch of GSLV5D on the box. It is a stupendous achievement for India & ISRO. To master a complex multistage system like GSLV involving, solid and liquid boosters, a cryogenic engine, and guidance systems all working in perfect harmony is really great. We are proud of ISRO despite all the hurdles put in the way.

One think I saw on the box - boost for the missile programme, I have my doubts. Using a system with a cryogenic stage in this is a tough cookie, almost a red herring, US objections notwithstanding. Also, I was wondering whether the Malayali technologist who was false implicated in a spying case, and recently exonerated had a role in this achievement.

Why would you use cyrogenic systems for ICBM when you already have a reliable, cheaper, easy to replicate and manufacture Solid fuel system.
I think it had more to do with US commercial interests.

Being an avid space buff, this was one of the few good news at the start of the year. Was watching the launch and was happy that news channels were giving this due coverage. There are some necessary expenses required for a world standing. Kudos to ISRO to pull this off.

Yes, it is a great achievement as India becomes one of the big five who has this technology now and that too indegenously developed. The history of cryogenic engines is laced with lot of politics and wars between nations. It's complex technology equivalent to uranium enrichment for the purposes of Bomb making.

India were discussing transfer of this technology from USSR for several years but due to the cold-war and India's stand on it then, there were several repurcussions. After the USSR breakup, Russia backed out of the talks as US threatened the newly formed Russia. So, then we had to rely on R&D to develop our own.

The main hurdles were materials required for cooling the fuels to the crygenic level, so as to make it in liquid state. The main fuel is Liquid Hydrogen and the oxidiser is Liquid Oxygen.

So, why cryogenic engines is required? It reduces the overall weight of the rocket thereby giving the ability to add heavier payload. It also provides a larger range to the rockets which means, we can deploy satellites into the farther geosynchronous orbit rather than the near-earth orbit where weather or remote-sensing satellites are placed.


US was more afraid of countries having rockets capable of reaching the US main land. With cryogenic engines, India can deploy ICBM or nuclear armed missiles which can hit US or even beyond. You are also right that US had commercial interests. India was also discussing with US and France for this technology but both qouted higher than Russia. Then threatened Russia with dire consequences if they sell tech to India at lower rate.

The Malayali scientist Mr. Nambi Narayan was caught in a spying case where it was alleged that he alongwith a few others conspired to sell space secrets to foreign organisations. The case was proved false and he was acquitted. He introduced the cryogenic concept to India and was instrumental in designing the engines for PSLV and GSLV. It is really sad that such imminent scientist was put in jail and tortured without any evidence against him. In stark contrast, a Pakistani scientist smuggled nuclear technology and sold it to rogue countries, but still he was treated with respect by his countries investigating agencies.

It is widely believe that CIA was instrumental in implicating the scientists so that India's program could be derailed.

The thrust to weight ratio of a Cryo- is unmatched. The PSLV types are at best IRBMs, so we do need a more powerful booster. Maybe the strap on first stage boosters (liquid fuelled) were in that direction. PSLV uses all solid boosters.

Great job and congrats to the scientists. In comparison why is our defense research so bad (barring a few missiles)?

Okay I feel a little embarrassed not knowing what any of this means or directly pertains to. Can anyone give a brief introduction and understanding to the topic? :)

website is not on par with NASA , but gives you a good insight on why there is such a buzz on this launch http://www.isro.org/gslv-d5/cryogenic-engine.aspx

Only one thing. It is widely believed that the Indian defence / aerospace efforts have had major inputs from Soviets (after the break up of USSR). I am quite sure there was some inputs here, as in the compact reactor for submarines etc. am aware that one IIT got an application from a very eminent Academician, who was very keen to come, but they could not manage the airfare for him from the Institute. What a pity!

While the successful launch of GSLV-5D is a good thing, several more successful launches are needed to make GSLV a reliable & dependable vehicle. Also, GSLV needs to carry greater payloads to be able to launch INSAT series satellites which have gained in size and weight over the years.

1. No doubt about it. A swallow does not make summer!
2. It may not be that simple to scale up. Maybe ther3e is a 10% margin not much more. So INSAT may have to be put on a diet.

The GSLV for sure gives India both the capability to delivery larger payload satellites and ICBM version that could pretty much cover most of the countries across the globe.

Typically the military capabilities are of major concern than the civilian version for the large superpowers however the vehicle has to attain reliability to even attempt a weaponized form of the same.

Wonder how many successful attempts qualify it to be an reliable launch platform as per the space technology norms?

Three successive successful launches is the accepted criterion.