GSLV failed launch: FAC to report findings soon

Bangalore, Jul 28: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair today said the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC), constituted to go into the July 10 failed GSLV-F02 launch, will come out with its findings in a month's time.

Terming the progress of the FAC as ''satisfactory'', he said ''we have the preliminary research available now. We know that the thrust controller in the engine malfunctioned. This was the reason for the failure. But why that particular controller malfunctioned has to be further identified through experimenttaion. This work is going on.'' Mr Nair was talking to newspersons after inaugurating 64 slice CT scans at the corporate hospital Narayana Hrudayalaya here.

GSLV-F02, which blasted off with the INSAT-4C satellite from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July ten, had deviated from its flight path a minute later and the mission controllers were forced to destroy the vehicle.

Subsequently, ISRO had constituted the FAC to ascertain the reasons for the failed launch.

INSAT-4C, a 2,168-kg communications satellite, was the heaviest in its class and meant to boost direct-to-home telecast. It was the first launch of an INSAT for commercial purposes from an Indian launch pad.

Mr Nair said ISRO was preparing for the next launch of PSLV in October. ''We have realised the individial stage. It will be integrated later. We are on time for the October launch.'' The GSLV launch would take place next year and this project was also on schedule, he added.

On the protest by the ISRO SC/ST staff alleging harassment and ill-treatment, he denied of any such issues and said this was the distortion of an individual. All employees of the organisation were well taken care of and they were enjoying all the benefits and support from the organisation. They have a fast career growth and special care was being taken to train them and put them on the fast track, he added.

UNI