Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether India’s ambitious space programme suffered a blow when GSLV-F06 rocket failed within 63 seconds of its lift off;

(b) if so,the reasons for its failure;

(c) the total cost involved in this launch;

(d) whether ISRO has decided to launch GSLV afresh; and

(e) if so, the future plans chalked in this regard?

ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRIES OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a) & (b) The launch of GSLV-F06 with GSAT-5P communication satellite that took place on December 25, 2010 was unsuccessful. The performance of the vehicle was normal up to 47.5 seconds from lift-off. Subsequently, the vehicle started developing larger errors in its orientation leading to build-up of higher structural loads and consequently the vehicle broke up at 53.8 seconds from lift-off. As per the Range norms, a destruct command was issued from the ground at 64 seconds after lift-off.

The primary cause of the failure is the untimely and inadvertent snapping of a group of 10 connectors located at the bottom portion of the Russian Cryogenic Stage. The premature snapping of these connectors has led to stoppage of continuous flow of control commands to the First Stage control electronics, consequently leading to loss of control and break-up of the vehicle.

(c) The total cost involved in this launch is around ` 300 Crores.

(d) & (e) ISRO is planning to undertake the next developmental flight of GSLV (GSLV-D4) using the Indigenous Cryogenic Stage. The mission aims at flight testing of Indigenous Cryogenic engine & Stage. The launch of GSLV-D4 is planned for 1st quarter 2012.

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