Another first for ISRO; space capsule returns

Chennai, Jan 22: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), today achieved yet another milestone as it brought down the Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1), twelve days after it was hurtled into space by PSLV-C7.

As scheduled, the recoverable satellite splashed down in the Bay of Bengal, about 140 km east of Sriharikota, at 0944 hrs at the specified location.

''It has splashed down and efforts to retrieve the satellite are on...everything so far is pucca,'' Mr Krishnamurthy, ISRO PRO, told UNI over the phone.

This is the first time when ISRO has recovered a satellite after putting it into orbit.

The Indian Coast Guard, which was entrusted with the task of recovering the spacecraft, located the SRE-1 soon after it was splashed down and rushed its Vessel ''Sarang'' to retrieve the 555 kg satellite.

Inspector General Rajendra Singh, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), told UNI that Cocast Gaurd Helicopter and Dornier aircraft, which were hovering around the area, located the spacecraft and informed ''Sarang''.

The Vessel, which was seven miles away from the spot, is rushing to the spot. Soon after reaching the spot, divers would be pressed into service to pull the floating spacecraft and bring it to the Ennore Port, he said.

The SRE-1 would facilitate the development of re-usuable thermal protection system and help ISRO to acquire basic technology for developing re-usable launch vehicles.

ISRO sources said the spacecraft, which was rotating the orbit at a speed fo 25,000 km per hour, was successfuly re-orbited and brought down. After the velocity was reduced, it entered the upper atmosphere. As the spacecraft was coming down, the three parachutes opened and gave it a gentle splash down in the Bay of Bengal, the sources added.

A galaxy of scientists, led by ISRO Chief G Madhavan Nair, who were monitoring the operation at Sriharikota, broke into applause.

''The scientists are very happy that everything went off very well,'' the sources said.

ISRO scientists brought down the SRE-1 after allowing it to remain in the orbit for 12 days.

SRE-1 was one of the four satellites put in orbit by ISRO on January 10, using its power horse, the Pollar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C7).

It should be a pride moment for ISRO as Dr Nair had said the recovery of the satellite ''will be a difficult and challenging task.

We will achieve it and create history''.

The successful recovery would mean India joining the elite group of nations that had developed the re-usable launch vehicle technology.

UNI