ISRO launches country's heaviest rocket GSLV Mk-III
Sriharikota, Dec 18 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the country's most powerful and heaviest rocket GSLV Mk-III on Thursday morning. The rocket was lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota right at its scheduled time. If successful, this mission will take India a step closer towards the much-delayed human spaceflight programme. Weighing 640 tonne, the three-stage rocket with two S-200 solid boosters, stated to be the second largest in the world liquid and cryogenic stage, is nearly 50% heavier than the existing Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). While the rocket cost ISRO Rs140 crore, the crew module has taken another Rs15 crore. The GSLV-Mk III would carry the 3.65 tonne crew module even as the national space agency is equipping itself for its plan of sending astronauts into space eventually. A series of measures, like checking the crew module, were performed before the liftoff.
