India’s heaviest rocket is all set for its maiden flight into space along with communications satellite GSAT-19
Words: Vandana Devi Images: Various Sources
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III), India’s heaviest rocket, is all set for its maiden flight into space along with communications satellite GSAT-19. The rocket weighs 640 tonnes and is 43.43 metres tall. It will be launched from India’s rocket port at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
GSAT-19 is a 3,136 kg communications satellite and it is the heaviest satellite to be lifted by an India rocket to date. It will be taken to an altitude of around 179 km above the earth just after some 16 minutes into the flight.
This mission’s success will enable India to launch four-tonne satellites on their own instead of paying huge amounts of money to foreign space agencies for the same. Previously, ISRO had launched the 3,404 kg GSAT-18 from Ariane, French Guiana.
As of now, India has 13 communication satellites. This launch will increase India’s communication resources because a single GSAT-19 is almost equivalent to six or seven of the older variety of communication satellites in space.