EOS-02 launch: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, stated that the EOS-02 satellite will be launched in the second quarter of 2022.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said in a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha today that EOS-02 is a Technology demonstration satellite for various new technologies with applications in agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology, miniaturized power electronics, reaction wheels, and other areas, and that it is the payload for SSLV-1.
He stated that the EOS-02 launch was planned for Quarter 4 of 2021, but that the pandemic’s beginning, as well as the resulting lockdown and disruption in global and local supply chains, were factors in the spacecraft’s reality being delayed due to a lack of components, labor, and facilities.
Minister also cited reasons for the failure of EOS-03 while announcing EOS-02
Dr. Jitendra Singh elaborated on the reasons for the EOS-3 satellite’s launch failure, saying that preliminary examinations using post-flight data conducted shortly after the launch revealed that the mission was aborted due to an abnormality in the Cryogenic Upper Stage. A national Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) was promptly formed, consisting of specialists from academia and ISRO, to determine the causes of the anomaly in the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the GSLV, which resulted in a mission abort, and to recommend corrective actions for future missions.
The Committee noticed that the build-up of pressure in the propellant (Liquid Hydrogen or LH2) tank during the flight was abnormal, resulting in reduced tank pressure when the engine was ignited. As a result, the Fuel Booster Turbo Pump (FBTP) placed within the LH2 tank, which feeds the engine’s main turbopump, operated abnormally, resulting in insufficient Liquid Hydrogen flow into the engine thrust chamber.
According to extensive research, a leak in the relevant Vent and Relief Valve (VRV), which is designed to relieve excess tank pressure during flight, is the most likely cause of the observed decrease in LH2 tank pressure. The FAC’s analysis was validated by computer simulations and repeated confirmatory ground tests that accurately simulated the conditions in the GSLV-F10 flight.
The Failure Analysis Committee has recommended enhancements to the Cryogenic Upper Stage’s resilience for future GSLV flights, according to the Minister. By the third quarter of 2022, the GSLV vehicle with the essential upgrades in the Cryogenic Upper Stage should be available. The next GSLV mission’s satellite is projected to be ready for launch in the fourth quarter of 2022. As a result, there will be no delays in the connected initiatives as a result of the failure.
The details of the satellites included in the EOS series are as follows
- EOS-01: Earth Observation satellite meant for Agriculture, Forestry & disaster management support
- EOS-02: Technology demonstration satellite for various new technologies with applications that include agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology, etc., and forming the payload for SSLV-1.
- EOS-03: First Agile Earth Observation satellite in Geostationary orbit and applications which include near real-time imaging, quick monitoring of natural disasters, spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, etc.
- EOS-04: Radar Imaging satellite meant to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantations, Soil Moisture & Hydrology, and Flood Mapping.
- EOS-05: Earth Observation Satellite in the Geostationary Orbit.
- EOS-06: Earth Observation satellite meant for applications, which include ocean-related services and advisories towards potential fishing zone forecast, ocean state forecast