SRIHARIKOTA: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) went one step ahead towards sending astronauts to space by successfully launching its heaviest rocket ever, 630 tonne, three-stage Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III on Thursday.
GSLV MK III lifted off from the second launch pad at 9.30am, carrying a crew module, to be used in future manned space missions.
“We have completed the first experimental test-flight of GSLV Mark III. The performance of solid and liquid propulsion stages happened as expected. The crew module has plunged into the sea. The next developmental flight of the launch vehicle will be done in the next two years,” said the Isro chief K Radhakrishnan after the launch.
The crew module weighing 3.73 tonne separated from the rocket about 325 seconds (five minutes) after the lift-off from the launch pad. The separation of both solid and liquid propulsion stages had been smooth, said GSLV project director S Somnath.
The rocket soared from the launch pad after a 24-hour countdown that commenced on Wednesday morning. The crew module separated from the rocket at an altitude of 126 km and then re-entered into the earth’s atmosphere at 80 km. It then followed an uncontrolled trajectory into the Bay of Bengal about 180 km off the Andaman Nicobar Islands. The flight also tested the parachute deployment system of the crew module which has to work in a cluster formation to slow down the module and reduce atmospheric friction and thermal corrosion during its free fall back to the surface.
Congratulatory messages:
Successful launch of GSLV Mk-III demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in space launch technology -Congratulations #PresidentMukherjee
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 18, 2014
Successful launch of GSLV Mk-III is yet another triumph of brilliance & hardwork of our scientists. Congrats to them for the efforts. @isro
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2014
Congratulate @isro, our pride, on the successful launch of #GSLVMkIII here: http://t.co/THPJjRmfi3 #GSLV
— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) December 18, 2014
Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of GSLV MK III & to PM @narendramodi ji for his commitment to Space research.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShahOffice) December 18, 2014
Congratulations to all scientists @isro ,for the successful launch of GSLV Mk-III ! A moment of immense pride for the entire nation! #Proud
— Punit Goenka (@punit_goenka) December 18, 2014
