Which of the following statements about the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3) is/are correct?
I. The launch successfully placed communication satellite GSAT-4 in orbit.
II. This was the first GSLV launch with indigenous cryogenic engine.
III. The launch was from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
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I only
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II only
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II and III only
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III and I only
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I, II and III
C
Correct answer
Explanation
India's quest to achieve independence in cryogenic technology for launching satellite launch vehicles suffered a setback on April 15, 2010 with the indigenous cryogenic engine in a Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3) failing to ignite and the vehicle tumbling into the Bay of Bengal 505 seconds after it lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission to put communication satellite GSAT-4 in orbit thus ended in failure. The cryogenic technology is crucial to put heavy satellites in geo-synchronous transfer orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km.