ISRO's GSLV MK-III: What this launch means for India? Know all about Rs 300 crore heaviest rocket and GSAT-19 satellite

The Indian Research Space Organisation (ISRO) has spread its wings and is flying high yet again with the successful launch of GSLV MK-III rocket that carried and injected the GSAT-19 communication satellite into the orbit on Monday. In a historic moment for India, ISRO’s heaviest and most powerful rocket lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday at 5.28 PM. It then placed the heaviest GSAT-19 satellite into the orbit after a flight of 16 minutes and 20 seconds.

Here is everything you need to know about the GSLV-Mk III rocket and why this launch is crucial for India:

1. The GSLV MK-III carried the GSAT-19 communications satellite wighing 3,136 kilograms, the heaviest to be lifted by an Indian rocket. The GSLV MK-III took the satellite to an altitude around 179 km above the Earth after a flight of 16 minutes and 20 seconds.

2. The Rs 300 crore GSLV MK-III rocket was developed after an intensive research of 15 long years. The rocket weighs 4,000 kg and stands 43.43 meters tall.

3. Till now, India had to rely on foreign launchers for the launch of communication satellites that weigh beyond 2.3 tonnes. Now, with this launch, India has proved that it can launch satellites weighing four-tonne on its own rocket. It doesn’t have to pay huge amounts of money to foreign space agencies for the launch of heavy satellites.

4. ISRO has sought Rs 12,500 crore from the Centre for its mission to send humans in space. Once approved, it will take ISRO roughly 7 years to achieve this mission. ISRO has already developed critical technologies for a manned space mission. 

5. The GSAT-19 satellite could be the first to provide internet services using a space-based platform hence the launch can prove to be revolutionary for ISRO.

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6. For the first time ever, indigenously-built Lithium-ion batteries will power the GSAT-19,  which can later be used to power electric vehicles like cars and buses. 

7. GSAT-19 has a life span of 10 years. It is a multi-beam satellite that carries Ka and Ku band forward and return link transponders and geostationary radiation spectrometer.

8. The purpose is to study and monitor the nature of the charged particles and influence of space radiation on spacecraft and electronic components.

9. The GSLV Mark-III rocket will also feature advanced spacecraft technologies including bus subsystem experiments in electrical propulsion system, indigenous Li-ion battery and indigenous bus bars for power distribution, among others.

10. A ‘game-changer’ mission, the GSLV Mark-III rocket will allow ISRO to launch heavier communications spacecraft to geostationary orbits of 36,000 km.

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