ISRO successfully launches its heaviest satellite GSLV-MK III

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) communication satellite GSAT-19, carried onboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-mark III ), launches at Sriharikota/ AFP

New Delhi: India recorded a historical movement on Monday evening at 5:28 p.m when Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its heaviest satellite, the  Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III). 

• GSLV Mark-III was launched from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

• According to ISRO, Mark-III weighs 640 tons (4,000 kg) and is considered to be the heaviest rocket launched from India. Before this, ISRO had to rely on foreign launchers to launch a rocket weighing more than 2,300 kg in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)

• It can carry satellites weighing up to 8 tons and at the same time is capable of carrying humans

• After a brief flight of over 16 minutes, the 43.3 metre tall Mark-3 launched GSA-19 at its intended orbit at an altitude of 179 km

• It is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka and Ku band forward and return link transponders and geostationary radiation spectrometer (GRASP) to monitor and study the nature of charged particles and the influence of space radiation on satellites and their electronic components

• The GSLV-Mk III is a three stage/engine rocket. The core of first stage is fired with solid fuel and its two motors by liquid fuel. The second is liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine

• The satellite, which has a life span of 10 years, also features certain advanced spacecraft technologies including miniaturised heat pipe, a fibre optic gyro, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer, Ku-band TTC transponder, as well an indigenous lithium-ion battery

• The GSAT-19, as per the Indian Space Research Organisation is going to improve the connectivity of Internet and Telecommunications and has updated another step towards the Digital India dream