India is all set to add another feather to its cap with the launch of the heaviest rocket the country has had ever. The Indian Space Research Organization had begun a 25-hour countdown for the launch of this heavy weight rocket called the GSLV MkIII which will be carrying the communication satellite GSAT-19. The launch will take place at the Sriharikota space port in Andhra Pradesh.
The launch of the GLSV MkIII is scheduled at 05:28 PM (IST) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre’s second launch pad. The GSLV-Mk III-D1, will be carrying the 3,136 kg GSAT-19 satellite. This mission is quite an important one as it is the heaviest rocket as well as satellite to be launched by India ever.
Until now, ISRO was dependent on foreign launchers for launching communication satellites that weighed more than 2300 kg. However, the GSLV MkIII D-1 will be able to lift up to 10,000 kg into the Low Earth Orbit and 4000 kg of load into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
India's communication resources will also increase after this mission because a single GSAT-19 satellite will be equal to having a series of six to seven satellites of the older variety in space. Right now, out of a constellation of 41 in-orbit Indian satellites, there are 13 communication satellites Also, the total mission life of the GSAT-19 is a decade.
