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GSLV MkIII

Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSLV-Mk3/LVM3 successfully put into space 36 satellites of Bharti-backed OneWeb enabling the completion of the UK firm’s first generation (Gen-1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. The mission was the second (1st - GSAT-24) dedicated commercial satellite mission undertaken by Space PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for Network Access Associates Ltd (OneWeb).

What is the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)?

  • It is a (49 meters tall) is a 3-stage space launch vehicle designed, developed and operated by the ISRO to launch satellites and other space objects into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO ~37,000 km).
  • The 1st stage (S139) generates maximum thrust.
  • The 2nd stage uses a liquid rocket engine which is known as Vikas engine.
  • The 3rd stage uses a Cryogenic engine, which uses liquefied oxygen and hydrogen as fuel.
  • GSLV has the capability to put a heavier payload (up to 5,000 kg up to 37,000 km) in orbit than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV can carry up to 2000 kg into space up to 600-900 km).
  • PSLV is designed mainly to deliver earth observation or remote sensing satellites, whereas GSLV has been designed for launching communication satellites.
  • GSLV delivers satellites into a higher elliptical orbit - GTO.
  • GSLV-D5 - launched in 2014 - was the first successful flight of the GSLV using the indigenous cryogenic engine (CE-7.5).
  • The current configuration of GSLV with a CE-7.5 cryogenic engine, can put a payload of up to —
  • 2500 kg in the GTO
  • 5000 kg in Low Earth Orbits (LEO - altitude 2000 km or less)
What is the GSLV MKIII?
  • GSLV MKIII Project was approved in 2002, with a mandate of achieving the capability to launch a 4-ton (4000 kg) class satellite to Geo-Synchronous orbit, by realising an indigenously developed launch vehicle.
  • GSLV MKIII (43.5 m height and a gross lift-off weight of 640 tonnes) is configured as a threestage vehicle with two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110) and a high thrust CUS (configured with the fully indigenous cryogenic engine - CE20).
  • Characteristics of GSLV MkIII —
  • Performance capability of 4.3 ton to GTO
  • Payload capability to support 10 ton to LEO missions
  • Cost effective
  • Improved reliability, operability and redundancy management
  • Future growth potential of payload with minimal design changes
  • To support manned missions (like Gaganyaan mission) of Indian Space Programme
  • The maiden operational flight of GSLV MKIII has successfully launched Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft into the Super Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit in 2019.
What exactly is the LVM3 Mission?

  • NSIL - a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the ISRO, has signed two launch service contracts with M/s OneWeb, United Kingdom.
  • OneWeb is a (Bharti group-backed) global communications network, powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities.
  • As part of this contract, 36 communication satellites were placed into orbit by LVM3 - ISRO’s heaviest launcher, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, under the OneWeb India-1 Mission.
  • This is the second LVM3 dedicated commercial launch (earning the agency upwards of Rs 1,000 crore) and through this launch LVM3 is making its entry into the Global commercial launch service market.
  • This is the third (operational) flight of the GSLV MKIII, since it carried India’s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2.
  • The OneWeb has set a significant benchmark for the Indian space industry in downstream application of satellite communication in India.
  • It will pave the way for India to move towards benefiting from remarkable capabilities of LEO connectivity and the spread of space-based internet, bridging the digital divide in the country's most remote areas.
What are ISRO's future endeavours?
  • The space agency is looking at a PSLV commercial mission, GSLV-Mk3 (for Chandrayaan-3) mission and a GSLV-Mk2 mission (for Nisar) in the coming months.
  • The LVM3 mission has also given ISRO more confidence about the rocket which will be used for Gaganyaan mission (Human Spaceflight Programme).

Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary

Recently, as many as 90 spotted deer have been brought to Sundarban Tiger Reserve from Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of the West Bengal state forest department’s bid to decongest smaller wildlife sanctuaries.

About Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary -

  • Bibhutibhusan Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Parmadan Forest is an animal sanctuary in the North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.
  • It is situated on the banks of river Ichamati.
About the Sundarban Tiger Reserve -
  • The Sundarbans is located on the delta of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
  • In 1973 it was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
  • It is a part of the world’s largest delta and home to the largest mangrove forests.
  • Flora — The vegetation of the area is moist tropical forests and tidal forests.
  • Fauna — It is home to Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarine Crocodile, Gangetic Dolphin, Water Monitor Lizard etc.

What is Project Tiger?
  • It is a tiger conservation programme launched in April 1973 by the Government of India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure.
  • Aim — Ensuring a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats, protecting them from extinction, and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage.

Water and Heritage Shield Award

A site Sípàapu located in Arizona, United States and sacred to the Hopi Native American Nation has been awarded a ‘Water and Heritage Shield’ by the International Committee On Monuments and Sites International Science Committee.
Details -
  • The purpose of the Shield is to help the public become aware of the significance of water and indigenous sacred sites all over the world and the right to cultural and historical memory.
  • The Sípàapu is a rocky dome made of limestone as well as a spring located on the Little Colorado river, a tributary of Colorado.
  • Little Colorado joins the main stem of the river within the Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The ancestors of the Hopi dwelled throughout the Grand Canyon before the 1250 Common Era.
  • Little Colorado, especially the confluence, is sacred not only to the Hopi but also to other Native American groups such as the Navajo and Zuni.
  • The Hopi consider the Sípàapu to be the place from where their ancestors emerged from another world into this one.
About International Committee On Monuments and Sites -

  • It is a global non-governmental organisation associated with UNESCO.
  • Its mission is to promote the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of monuments, building complexes and sites.
  • It is an Advisory Body of the World Heritage Committee for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO.
  • As such, it reviews the nominations of cultural world heritage and ensures the conservation status of properties.
  • It also contributed to a series of resource manuals jointly prepared by the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, IUCN and ICCROM) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Who are the Hopi Tribal people?

The Hopi are known as one of the oldest living cultures in documented history, having migrated north to Arizona in the 12th century.