GSLV MK3 Heaviest Rocket So Far Validated with launch of Communication Satellite GSAT-29
India’s current work horses the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and GSLV-Mk II — with carrying capacity of 1.5 tons and 2.5 tons respectively have now been supplemented by a new one. India’s heaviest rocket till date – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III)– carrying 3,423 kg communication satellite GSAT-29 blasted off from the Sriharikota spaceport on Wednesday evening.
Precisely at 5.08 p.m. the GSLV-Mk III rocket…… second flight only…..began its ascent thunderously from the second launch pad if the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 43.4 m long GSLV-Mk III weighing 640 tons and with a capacity to carry four-tonne satellite, is a three-stage/engine rocket with two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel. The second stage is a core liquid fuel booster and the third is the cryogenic engine.
ISRO had the first flight of this rocket on June 5, 2017, with GSAT-19 satellite. Prior to that ISRO had flown another rocket with 3.7-tonne dummy payload in 2014 to test its in-flight structural stability and aerodynamics.
On Wednesday, just over 16 minutes into its flight the rocket released the GSAT-29 at its intended orbit at an altitude of around 207 km.
According to Indian Space Research Organisation, GSAT-29 with a life span of 10 years is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users including those in remote areas.
In addition, several new technologies such as Q/V-band payload, data transmission through optical communication link will be demonstrated. This will help in realising future advanced satellites, ISRO said.
The satellite also carries a geo-high resolution camera.
