India's GSLV Explodes On Take Off

JLAmber (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 19:05

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12079239

An Indian space rocket carrying a communications satellite has exploded on take-off.

Live TV footage showed the rocket disappearing in a plume of smoke moments after its launch in Sriharikota near the city of Chennai (Madras).

India's space organisation said it was investigating the cause of the failure.

India is seeking to increase its share of the growing commercial satellite launch market, and says it wants to send a manned mission in space in 2016.

Thankfully it was only machinery that was wiped out this time. {facepalm}

all round.

A million great ideas...

Queso (netAirspace ATC Tower Chief & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 19:14

JLAmber wrote:
India is seeking to increase its share of the growing commercial satellite launch market, and says it wants to send a manned mission in space in 2016.

I'm sure this is very reassuring news for those "Indianauts" who have been picked for the first crew. {boggled}

Slider... <sniff, sniff>... you stink.

JeffSFO (Photo Quality Screener & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 19:19

I saw that the other day. When seeing the second of the startling images of the explosion posted below in another news article, at first glance I thought it was a story about the Challenger disaster:

Challenger:

AndesSMF (Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 19:22

What type of fuel does that orange smoke represent?

Einstein said two things were infinite; the universe, and stupidity. He wasn't sure about the first, but he was certain about the second.

Queso (netAirspace ATC Tower Chief & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 19:24

India is using red fuming nitric acid as an oxidizer in their rockets? The color in the smoke is the classic giveaway. That's very interesting.

Edit:

AndesSMF wrote:What type of fuel does that orange smoke represent?

Red fuming nitric acid (oxidizer). The U.S. used it quite a bit in the 50's and 60's, but not so much now AFAIK.

Slider... <sniff, sniff>... you stink.

da man (Space Guru & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 20:41

There is a reason I've said for quite some time that if you want to see a rocket explode, hire the Indians to launch your satellite. The GSLV has a 29% success rating (2 successes in 7 attempts), yet they are still confident that they can man-rate a derivative of this rocket for their manned space program... {banghead}

Also, I'd like to apologize for my prolonged absence, I've had my hands full with finishing up finals and family matters. I ought to be back to my normal postings and update the space forum to all that has gone on in my absence within a week.

JLAmber (netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 20:46

da man wrote:The GSLV has a 29% success rating (2 successes in 7 attempts), yet they are still confident that they can man-rate a derivative of this rocket for their manned space program...

That's shocking to say the least. Is there a specific area where they're going horribly wrong, or is it general sub-standard manufacturing techniques?

da man wrote:Also, I'd like to apologize for my prolonged absence, I've had my hands full with finishing up finals and family matters. I ought to be back to my normal postings and update the space forum to all that has gone on in my absence within a week.

No need to apologise, we all appreciate your efforts when you can make them {thumbsup}

A million great ideas...

da man (Space Guru & Founding Member) 27 Dec 10, 21:06

JLAmber wrote:
da man wrote:The GSLV has a 29% success rating (2 successes in 7 attempts), yet they are still confident that they can man-rate a derivative of this rocket for their manned space program...

That's shocking to say the least. Is there a specific area where they're going horribly wrong, or is it general sub-standard manufacturing techniques?

Well, examining the unsuccessful launches, four of the failures jump out - problems with the third stage and the strap-on motors:

2001 April 18 - The cryogenic, hydrogen-oxygen upper stage cut off without providing the required delta-V - preliminary analysis revealed a shortfall of 0.5% in the thrust.

2006 July 10 - One of the liquid-fueled strap-on motors failed to develop thrust. By 40 seconds after launch the GSLV had veered outside of the launch corridor and the destruct signal was sent.

2010 April 15 - Third stage failure at startup.

2010 December 25 - ISRO officials said that steering control commands had stopped reaching actuators on one or more of the four liquid strap on boosters. Self-destruct signal was sent.

Allstarflyer (Database Editor & Founding Member) 01 Jan 11, 12:57

da man wrote:There is a reason I've said for quite some time that if you want to see a rocket explode, hire the Indians to launch your satellite. The GSLV has a 29% success rating (2 successes in 7 attempts), yet they are still confident that they can man-rate a derivative of this rocket for their manned space program...

Yeah, gl, no one in their right mind would jump at that. Maybe it could be suitable for the type of people that belong in the worm food thread. {crazy}

You are at netAirspace : Forum : Air and Space Forums : Space

LEFT