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India operationalises heavy rocket by launching communication satellite GSAT-29 (Roundup)

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6 years ago

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By Venkatachari Jagannathan
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Nov 14 (IANS) India successfully launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-29 on Wednesday with its heaviest rocket — Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) — in a copybook style.

The GSLV-Mk III rocket on its second developmental flight slung the 3,423 kg GSAT-29 satellite in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from where it would be taken up to its final geostationary orbit.

The whole mission involved an outlay of about Rs 500 crore (Rs 300 crore for the rocket and Rs 200 crore for GSAT-29).

Explaining the mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K. Sivan said: “The second successful mission of GSLV-Mk III marks the entry of the rocket into operational phase after completing the developmental phase. This mission is important regarding GSLV-Mk III and GSAT satellite series.”

“The first operational mission of GSLV-Mk III will be none other than the second moon mission — Chandrayaan — slated for January 2019,” Sivan said, adding that the rocket will be used for India’s human space mission planned for 2022.

The Indian space agency had flown a similar rocket on June 5, 2017 with GSAT-19 satellite. Prior to that ISRO had flown another rocket with 3.7 tonne dummy payload in 2014 to test its in-flight structural stability and aerodynamics.

According to Sivan, GSAT-29 with a life span of 10 years is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users, including those in remote areas.

He said the satellite will be used for linking Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states under the Digital India programme.

In addition, several new technologies such as Q/V-band payload, data transmission through optical communication link will be demonstrated. This will help in realising future advanced satellites, Sivan added.

The satellite also carries geo-high resolution camera.

“The camera has a resolution of 55 metres. Once it works successfully the camera will be fixed in our weather satellites,” Sivan said.

According to Sivan, GSAT-29 will be raised to its intended final orbit in three phases.

“The first orbit raising operation will be carried out on Thursday,” he said.

Sivan said a combination high throughput satellites — GSAT-19, GSAT-29, GSAT-11 and GSAT-20 — will provide high speed internet as part of Digital India programme.

Precisely at 5.08 p.m. the GSLV-Mk III rocket with a strong deep growl rose into the sky breaking free from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The 43.4-metre tall rocket weighing about 640 tonnes furiously rushed to the skies with a thick orange flame at its rear carrying the GSAT-29.

The GSLV-Mk III with a capacity to carry four-tonne satellite, is a three stage/engine rocket with two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel. The second stage is a core liquid fuel booster and the third is the cryogenic engine.

Just over 16 minutes into its flight, the rocket put into orbit the GSAT-29 satellite and became part of Indian space agency history.

With the success of the space mission, India currently has three operational rockets — the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), GSLV-Mk II with a lift-off mass of 415 tonnes and a carrying capacity of 2.5 tonnes, and GSLV-Mk III with a lift off mass of 640 tonnes and a carrying capacity of four tonnes.

Sivan said efforts are on to increase the GSLV-Mk III’s carrying capacity to six tonnes in a gradual manner.

India puts into orbit foreign satellites for a fee using its lighter rocket PSLV. Revenue for launching satellites depends on the weight of the satellite — higher the weight, higher will be the revenue.

Foreign customers are yet to come for GSLV-Mk II rocket.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
vj/mag/sed

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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3 months ago

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September 3, 2024

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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