Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched its INSAT-3DR advanced weather satellite by using its heavy geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-F05) rocket.
The GSLV has launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here at 4.50 p.m., the GSLV rocket throw the 2,211 kg satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), from where it would be guided to its final geostationary orbit. The launch was delayed by 40 minutes as the fuelling of the third stage of the rocket took longer than expected.
With the launch of INSAT-3DR, the Indian space agency has successfully launched three satellites weighing over two tones of the six satellites. The successful launch of GSLV rocket gives the Indian space programme a much-needed boost as getting the third stage cryogenic engine right is important for its future space programmes as well as for commercial launches. Indian space scientists have spent around two decades and around Rs 500 crore ($75 million)in conceiving and developing the cryogenic technology.