The GSLV-III or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, is a launch vehicle which is being developed by ISRO. This will be an unmanned crew module, it will unleash India’s dream of sending its astronauts in to space come true.
ISRO scientists have been gearing up for the test launch of GSLV-MK III, on December 18th , the heaviest among Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle versions. ISRO director M.Y.S Prasad had said the launch is intended to test the atmospheric characteristics and stability of the updated rocket on its way up.
It would also carry the CARE (Crew-module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment) Module and also study the crew module on its re-entry in to the atmosphere.
CARE will be separated from the GSLV Mk III rocket at an altitude of 126 km and a speed of 5300 m/s. It will enter a coast phase during which it will perform three axis control in order to ensure zero degree angle of attack at reentry.
The ballistic reentry will start from an altitude of about 80 km. From this altitude, the propulsion is shut down. The heat shield will experience temperatures around 1,000 degrees C and the capsule will experience decelerations of up to 13 g.
The crew module carries three stages of parachutes, all of which come in pairs. First, both 2.5-metre diameter pilot parachutes come out, followed by the 6.5-metre drogue parachutes, which cut the capsule’s velocity down to 50 m/s. Then both main parachutes are deployed at a height of about 5 km. These parachutes, each 31 metres in diameter, are the largest ever made in India.
CARE will splash down into the Bay of Bengal about 600 km from Port Blair in the Andaman Islands Immediately afterwards the main parachutes will be detached. CARE will be recovered by the India Coast Guards tracking its beacon signal. The entire duration of the experiment from launch to splash down is close to 1,140 seconds.
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