President Mukherjee congratulates ISRO for successful launch of GSLV-Mark III

President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of GSLV-Mark III.

"Please accept my heartiest congratulations to your team and you at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the successful launch of India's latest generation rocket-Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mark III), carrying the 'Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE)," said President Mukherjee in his message to ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan.

"The launch of GSLV-Mark III is an important landmark in our space programme and demonstrates, yet again, India's growing capabilities in space launch technology. Kindly convey my greetings to the members of your team of scientists, engineers, technologists and all others involved in this mission. I wish your future endeavours continued success," he added.

This is the first time that such an exercise has been conducted by the ISRO scientists.

The GSLV Mark III weighs 630 tonnes and is powered by liquid and solid fuel engines while the cryogenic engine at the top is filled with liquid nitrogen.

According to reports, this experimental mission cost Rs. 155 crores, and hasn't carried any other satellite.

Earlier this month, ISRO had placed GSAT-16 in orbit by Ariane 5 rocket, from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. The satellite was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Ariane 5 had also launched the satellite's co-passenger DIRECTV-14 which is aimed at providing direct-to-home television broadcasts across the United States.