Another feather in the much-decorated cap of ISRO. ISRO successfully launches GSLV-Mk III along with a communications satellite GSAT-19. The satellite that weighs 3,136 kg is the heaviest satellite to be lifted by an Indian rocket till date. The GSAT-19, with a lifespan of 10 years, is a multi-beam satellite that will carry Ka and Ku-band payload. The “game-changer” rocket will double the capacity to launch satellite from 2.2-2.3 tons to 3.5-4 tons. The Indian ‘Fat boy’ weight equivalent to the weight of five fully-loaded Boeing Jumbo Jets or as much as 200 fully grown elephants. GSLV-Mk III at around 43 metres is slightly shorter than Mk-II version. The GSLV Mk III will be able to lift payloads of up to 4,000 kg into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and 10,000 kgs into the Low Earth Orbit. It is a three-stage vehicle with indigenous cryogenic upper stage engine. This is India‘s rocket of the future as it will pave way to manned missions. It will make ISRO capable of sending humans into space likely to be named ‘gaganauts or vyomanauts’.
