On today; Countdown begins for GSLV-Mark III

After nearly three decades of hardships and failures, the Indian Space Research Organisation is on the verge of achieving something special on Monday. The next generation heavy launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III rocket, nicknamed the ‘Fat Boy’, will place the 3,136 kg communication satellite GSAT-19 into the orbit on its maiden flight.

All the three propulsion elements of the new rocket – the solid S200 stage, the liquid L110 core stage and the most powerful C-25 cryogenic upper stage – were indigenously developed. Isro’s capability of developing indigenous heavier rockets will be put into litmus test in this launch.

The rocket, capable of putting 4-tonne communication satellites into higher orbits, has a lift-off mass of a whopping 640 tonnes – equal to the weight of 200 fully grown elephants.