THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- September 5, 2017- Topic 2

Down but not out

On the failed PSLV launch attempt

After 39 consecutive successful launches, the Indian Space Research Organisation had almost made it appear that launching satellites was indeed child’s play when it used its workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. But the PSLV, which has been placing satellites in their respective orbits for the past 24 years, faced a setback on August 31. The PSLV-C39 rocket carrying the eighth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) had a normal lift-off and flight events but ended in an unsuccessful mission. 

The heat-shield failed to separate, resulting in the satellite separation occurring within the shield. This is just the second instance when the PSLV has had an unsuccessful mission in all of its 41 launches; the first setback was back in 1993. Over the years, the PSLV has played a pivotal role in ISRO’s programme, and this February it set a world record by launching 104 satellites in one go. With such an enviable track record, the failure of the mission this time almost comes as a surprise. This is especially so as the lift-off and the stage separation of the first and second stages, which are the most challenging parts of the mission, went off smoothly. In comparison, the heat-shield separation is a relatively minor operation which takes place once the rocket crosses an altitude of 100-110 km, and the temperature in the absence of the heat-shield will no longer damage the satellite. The failed mission serves as a reminder that utmost care and scrutiny are required before every single launch. While scientists are working to identify the cause of the anomaly in the heat-shield separation event, the failed mission should have no impact on future launches involving the vehicle.

The failure of the mission is particularly disheartening as the IRNSS-1H satellite was jointly assembled and tested by ISRO and a Bengaluru-based private company, the first time a single private company, rather than a consortium, was involved in building a satellite. The satellite was in no way to blame for the failure of the mission. The space organisation has thrown open its doors to private companies to build as many as 18 spacecraft a year beginning mid or end-2018. The IRNSS-1H satellite was launched as a replacement for the IRNSS-1A satellite, which became inoperational in terms of surveillance following the failure of all three atomic clocks. As only six of the seven satellites are operational, there are gaps in the navigation data sent by the IRNSS. With the failure of this mission, India will have to wait for some more time before the next mission to send a replacement for the IRNSS-1A satellite is ready. The IRNSS was created so that the country would not need to rely on American-based GPS data — the encrypted, accurate positioning and navigation information provided by the system will make Indian military operations self-reliant.

Vocabulary

Indeed: used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested.

Example: It was not expected to last long, and indeed it took less than three weeks

Synonyms: as expected, to be sure, in fact, in point of fact, as a matter of fact

Setback: a reversal or check in progress.

Example: A serious setback for the peace process

Synonyms: problem, difficulty, hitch, complication, upset, disappointment

Shield: a person or thing providing protection.

Example: A protective coating of grease provides a shield against abrasive dirt

Synonyms: protection, guard, defense, cover, screen, security

Pivotal: of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

Example: The alliance that played a pivotal role in the revolution

Synonyms: central, crucial, vital, critical, focal, essential, key, decisive

Enviable: arousing or likely to arouse envy.

Example: An enviable reputation for academic achievement

Synonyms: desirable, desired, favored, sought-after, admirable, covetable

Utmost: the greatest or most extreme extent or amount.

Example: A plot that stretches credulity to the utmost

Synonyms: maximum, uttermost, limit, max

Scrutiny: critical observation or examination.

Every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny

Synonyms: examination, inspection, survey, study, perusal, investigation

Anomaly: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

Example: There are a number of anomalies in the present system

Synonyms: oddity, peculiarity, abnormality, irregularity, inconsistency, incongruity

Dishearten: cause someone to lose determination or confidence.

Example: The farmer was disheartened by the damage to his crops

Synonyms: discourage, dispirit, demoralize, cast down, depress, disappoint

Consortium: the right of association and companionship with one's husband or wife.

Example: The amount awarded for loss of consortium must be included

Surveillance: close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.

Example: He found himself put under surveillance by military intelligence

Synonyms: observation, scrutiny, watch, view, inspection, supervision

Encrypt: convert information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access.

Example: All calls will be digitally encrypted to make eavesdropping impossible