India's Heaviest Rocket Lifts off with Communication Satellite GSAT-29Just In

November 14, 2018 17:51
India's Heaviest Rocket Lifts off with Communication Satellite GSAT-29

(Image source from: OrissaPOST)

India's heaviest rocket - 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.

Exactly at 5.08 p.m., the GSLV-Mk III rocket on its second developmental flight began its ascent with a strong deep growl that reverberated like a thunder roll breaking free from the second launch pad here at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).

The 43.4-meter rocket weighing about 640 tonnes rushed to the blue skies with a thick orange flame at its rear. The GSLV-Mk III with a capacity to carry a 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.

The Indian space agency had flown a similar rocket on June 5, 2017, with GSAT-19 satellite. Prior to that ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) 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 will sling the GSAT-29 at its intended orbit at an altitude of around 207 km.

According to ISRO, GSAT-29 with a lifespan of 10 years is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders intended to meet the communication necessitates of users as well as those in distant areas.

Additionally, several new technologies such as Q/V-band payload, data transmission through optical communication link will be demonstrated. This will help in realizing future advanced satellites, ISRO said.

The satellite also carries a geo-high resolution camera. India presently has two fully operational rockets - the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and GSLV-Mk II - with a lift-off mass of 415 tonnes and a standing capability of 2.5 tonnes.

-Sowmya Sangam

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India  ISRO  satellite