India has entered into the ‘heavy lift rocket club’ by successfully launching Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-Mark III yesterday. GSLV-Mark III is the heaviest and powerful rocket of India and has the capacity to launch four-tonne satellites into space.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the GSAT-19 satellite into the orbit with the GSLV-Mark III. Indian Prime Minister tweeted his regards to the ISRO team by congratulating them for their determined efforts. With this achievement, India has entered the ‘heavy lift rocket club’. The other countries already in the club are the U.S., Russia, Europe, China and Japan.

The development of the rocket took more than 20 years. The GSLV-Mark III took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on June 5, 2017. The rocket was tested with the cryogenic engine which makes use of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The satellite GSAT-19 launched by the rocket will improvise telecommunication and broadcasting. For the complete assembling and testing of the rocket took over 25 years, 11 flights and 200 tests.

The GSLV-Mark III is also considered as India’s vehicle of choice for launching people into space!