HAL hands over 50th launch vehicle to ISRO

Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the 50th L-40 stage of Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MKII) to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at a programme recently.

This L-40 stage is meant for GSLV MKII- F12 Flight planned by ISRO in August 2020. The Aerospace Division of HAL has so far integrated and supplied L-40 stages for 12 flights of GSLV MKII, including the GSLV MKII -F10 flight planned in the first week of March-2020. Apart from the Integrated L-40 stages, HAL is manufacturing the riveted structures, propellant tanks, feedlines of PSLV, GSLV MKII and GSLV MKIII launch vehicles and structures of various satellites for ISRO, the company said in an official release.

"HAL is one of the most reliable partners of ISRO for the past three decades and has contributed and participated in almost all of ISRO's ambitious projects namely Chandrayaan-I, Chandrayaan-II, Mangalyaan and upcoming projects like Gaganyaan," HAL said.

GSLV is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GSLV was used in 13 launches from 2001 to 2018, with more launches planned. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II (GSLV Mk II) is the largest launch vehicle developed by India, which is currently in operation. This fourth-generation launch vehicle is a three-stage vehicle with four liquid strap-ons. The indigenously developed cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), which is flight-proven, forms the third stage of GSLV Mk II. From January 2014, the vehicle has achieved four consecutive successes.