The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the heaviest rocket made by India yet from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:28 pm on Monday, June 5. The rocket weighs 640 tonne — equivalent to that of 200 fully-grown elephants.
According to ISRO, GSLV Mk-III will be capable of placing 4-tonne-class satellites of the GSAT series into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits. The launch of the GSLV Mk-III — which is called the "fat boy" of ISRO because it is the heaviest satellite built by the Indian space agency, will be telecast live in a number of places.
However, in case you do not manage to catch the event live, here are LIVE updates, just for you!
6 pm IST: We sign off with this coverage now, with the GSAT-19 safely in orbit. Here is a photo of the GSLV Mark-III going about its work.
5:51 pm IST: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates ISRO for the launch of the GSLV Mk-III and putting the GSAT-19 in orbit.
Congratulations to the dedicated scientists of ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2017
The GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission takes India closer to the next generation launch vehicle and satellite capability. The nation is proud!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2017
5:46 pm IST: ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar congratulates the mission personnel for making this a success. They have apparently been working at it from 2002!
5:45 pm IST: GSAT 19 is in orbit!
5:43 pm IST: We are 15 minutes into the flight now, with satellite separation approaching.
5:38 pm IST: First 10 minutes into the flight, and everything is working as it should.
5:36 pm IST: The cryogenic engine, which is in its first flight, is performing nominally, says ISRO.
Here's a graph to show how things are going.
5:33 pm IST: Second stage has ended. We are on the C-25 engine now, and in the third phase!
5:32 pm IST: Heat shield separated after 224 seconds. Here's a photo from earlier, when the GSLV Mk-III lifted off.
5:30 pm IST: The S-200 rockets that helped the rocket lift off have been separated. We are in the second stage right now.
5:29 pm IST: First stage performance normal.
5:28 pm IST: And we have liftoff!!
5:25 pm IST: The seminal moment is just three minutes out!
5:15 pm IST: It seems the authorisation to begin the automated sequence for the launch has been given!
LAUNCH AUTHORIZATION has been given. #GSLV is ready to head into its Automated Countdown Sequence at T-11 minutes. https://t.co/zLGKwLIplj
— Spaceflight101 LIVE (@S101_Live) June 5, 2017
Here is the flight path of the rocket.
Today's #GSLV mission is planned to have a duration of 16.5 minutes from liftoff to GSAT-19 release. https://t.co/hLMxxtK80n pic.twitter.com/4t2k6PibZI
— Spaceflight101 LIVE (@S101_Live) June 5, 2017
5:05 pm IST: About 25 minutes left for launch. The weather seems to be in ISRO's favour.
Weather is within launch criteria. #GSLV
— Spaceflight101 LIVE (@S101_Live) June 5, 2017
4:55 pm IST: The GSLV Mk-III is fully fuelled and ready to lift off. All systems seem to be on track.
ISRO confirms #GSLV Mk. III stands fully fueled, cryogenics being topped up at flight level.
— Spaceflight101 LIVE (@S101_Live) June 5, 2017
The countdown began on Sunday, June 4.
4:45 pm IST: ISRO, it may be remembered, already holds the world record for launching the most number of satellites. It launched 104 sattellites in February this year.
4:30 pm IST: The more you know! ISRO describes this vehicle thus: "GSLV Mk-III is a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage."
4:15 pm IST: Just a little more than an hour before the "fat boy" is launched into space. It's successful launch will herald a new era of space-faring and space-transport. It could even mean manned mission by India into space.
