The year 2002 was a fruitful year for ISRO not only in terms of
launching satellites and launch vehicles but also in taking up new
initiatives in space applications. The following are the highlights:
ISRO’s latest satellite in the INSAT-3 series, INSAT- 3C, was launched by
an Ariane launch vehicle of Arianespace from Kourou, French Guyana on January
24,2002. After orbit raising operations and in-orbit testing, INSAT-3C
was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister on July 3, 2002.
METSAT, the first exclusive meteorological satellite built by ISRO,
was launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C4) from Satish Dhawan
Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota. ISRO, on September 12, 2002. PSLV-C4 was the
sixth consecutive successful flight of PSLV and for the first time, it was
used to launch a satellite into geo-stationary transfer orbit.
Development of ISRO’s Cryogenic Upper Stage for GSLV crossed a
significant milestone on September 14, 2002 with the successful ground test
of the engine for a duration of 1000 seconds, the longest so far.
The Tele-medicine Project for Andaman & Nicobar Islands was inaugurated by
Prime Minister on July 3, 2002. It links the G B Pant Hospital, Port
Blairwith Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC&RI)
at Chennai. This was one of the several tele-medicine projects initiated by
ISRO.
In a function held at Sriharikota on September 5, 2002, the Prime
Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, named the ISRO’s launch Centre as Satish
Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR. Prof Satish Dhawan, who passed away on January 3,
2002, was the Chairman of ISRO from 1972-1984, which were its formative
years.
The Government approved in April, the development of an advanced version
of ISRO’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mk-III, which will
have a capability to launch four tonne satellites into Geo-synchronous
Transfer Orbit(GTO).
EDUSAT, an exclusive satellite for developmental and
educational communication was also initiated. The satellite will be launched
by GSLV.
