ISRO Launches Its Biggest Rocket Ever, GSLV-Mk3 Puts India In To Elite League Of Nations

India reached another milestone with the successful launch of the heavyweight GSLV Mk3 rocket. More than a decade in the making, the first fully operational development flight of India¡¯s biggest rocket was a resounding success.

The GSLV ¨C MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission takes India closer to the next generation launch vehicle and satellite capability. The nation is proud!

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 5 June 2017

ISRO

The rocket made another record, by lifting the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil. The GSAT-19 communication satellite weighs 3,163 kg and will serve the country for 10 years.

ISRO

This was the first flight of the C25 cryogenic engine that burns nearly 28 tonnes of cryogenic fuel. The S200 strap-on motors are some of the biggest solid fuelled rockets in the world today. More developmental flights of the rocket will take place before it can be declared fully operational.

ISRO

GSLV Mk3 is also intended to be the rocket that lifts Indian astronauts into space and will be ¡®man rated¡¯ for human spaceflight.