Jay Menon

India Correspondent

Delhi, India

Summary

Articles

Jay Menon
NEW DELHI — India on Oct. 2 moved its Mars Orbiter to the launch pad at Sriharikota range for its scheduled launch to the red planet on Oct. 28. After a series of tests, scientists at the India Space Research Organization (ISRO) gave the green light to transport the 1,340-kg orbiter to the launch pad for integration with the 350-ton rocket, which is an extended version of the space agency’s workhorse launcher, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL), an ISRO scientist says.
Space

Jay Menon
NEW DELHI — India will make a fresh attempt to loft its GSAT-14 communications satellite aboard a Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) on Dec. 15, nearly two months after its launch was called off due to a fuel leak in the rocket’s second stage, a senior space scientist says. On Aug. 19, a leak was spotted in the fuel system of the second stage during the pre-launch pressurization phase on the vehicle. Propellants were drained and the GSLV was moved back to the vehicle assembly building to assess the cause of the leak.
Space

Jay Menon
NEW DELHI — India and Russia have agreed on a collaboration to jointly develop and manufacture civilian aircraft and helicopters, especially for emergency relief and medical purposes. Under the agreement, a joint venture company will be established in India for manufacturing and modifying Ka-226T light helicopters for medical, rescue and other purposes, a senior government official says.
Defense and Space