Indian Space Research Organisation (
Isro) chairman
K Sivan has seen
a major setback
+ in the first mission to be launched by the agency since he took over, something most space agency chiefs have not had to endure. Eighteen hours after the GSAT-6A lost contact with its ground station, Sivan spoke to TOI about the mission.
Excerpts:
What exactly transpired after the 2nd orbit-raising operations?
Everything went on as prescribed, a picture-perfect launch and two textbook orbit raising manoeuvres and then the satellite suddenly stopped communication. We are yet to determine what exactly went wrong.
When a satellite gets de-linked, it goes into a ‘safe mode’, is that the case here?
Generally the spacecraft returns from ‘safe mode’ in a matter of minutes, it returns in about one to five minutes. This is, however, very unusual as it did not happen. We are unable to establish any contact with the satellite, but our teams are on the job continuously.
What are the chances of recovery?
We are hopeful, but as of now there is no contact with the satellite. If we are just able to speak with the satellite, we can get it back to working as there are several redundancy mechanisms including back-up power. But everything hinges on re-establishing contact.
