[In February this year, India put a record 104 satellites in orbit from a single rocket, surpassing Russia which launched 39 satellites in one mission in June 2014. (ISO Image)]
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): India Monday scripted history as it successfully launched its heaviest home-made rocket GSLV MkIII-D1 billed as the "Naughty boy" of Space Agency ISRO carrying communication satellite GSAT-19.
Powered by the cutting-edge indigenously developed cryogenic engine, the rocket was developed over 15 years, at a cost of RS 300 crore. The 640-tonne rocket weighing as much as 200 full-grown Asian elephants or five Jumbo jets is expected to carry astronauts to space one day - perhaps in a little more than seven years.
The 43.43 metre tall rocket lifted off at 5.28 pm from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and launched the 3,136 kg GSAT-19, the heaviest satellite to be launched from the country yet, into orbit about 16 minutes later.
A jubilant Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said it "is a historic day" and the the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (MkIII D-1) has successfully demonstrated its capabilities with the injection of GSAT-19 into the desired orbit.
"It is a great success in the first maiden attempt and GSLV MkIII has successfully put in orbit GSAT-19 which is a next generation satellite," Kumar said.
"I wish to congratulate the entire team which has relentlessly worked each day for today's launch from 2002," he said.
The successful launch put to rest space agency ISRO's concerns, triggered by failures of several maiden flights. Three first launches - in 1979, 1993 and 2001 - had failed.
In February this year, India put a record 104 satellites in orbit from a single rocket, surpassing Russia which launched 39 satellites in one mission in June 2014.
President of India Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of the indigenous Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) carrying GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
In a message to A.S. Kiran Kumar, Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission & Chairman, ‘ISRO’, the President has said, “My heartiest congratulations to you and the entire team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on the historic launch of the indigenous Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) carrying GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)."
Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari while congratulating ISRO said that the successful launch of the indigenously developed heavy lift space vehicle, including the cryogenic stage, demonstrates India’s ability to launch large payloads.
"The successful launch of the indigenously developed heavy lift space vehicle, including the cryogenic stage, demonstrates India’s ability to launch large payloads and opens up the possibility of increased space exploration and its utilization for the benefit of humanity", he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission.
“Congratulations to the dedicated scientists of ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission", he said.
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