Science community happy over successful launch of GSLV Mark-III

Senior scientist and SPACE India director C B Devgun on Thursday expressed happiness over the successful launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark-III, adding that this was the first test done without the cryogenic engine and that the new module CREW that has been crafted to ensure the safe arrival of astronauts back to earth, had been tested successfully.

"The module was tested from a height of around 126 kilometers. It has landed successfully and that means we can go ahead in next step in manned mission - either to the international space station or to the moon, though it is very far away for us but still it is a great achievement that we have successfully tested this," Devgun told ANI.

Speaking on the benefits of the launch of GSLV Mark III, the scientist mentioned that with a few more test launches, India might be able to launch its own satellite in times to come, which in effect will incur less cost for the nation as India's dependence of other nations' satellites will end.

"GSLV can put around four tonnes of payload into the geostationary orbit, which is around 36,000 kilometres in the atmosphere. The first benefit is that with a few more test launches, we can launch our own satellites, which currently is done by other countries," he said.

"Secondly, if we launch our own satellites, other countries might come to us, which means a boom for our space industry," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken to twitter to extend his felicitations to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientists for successfully launching the GSLV Mark-III.

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.

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.