President, PM congratulate ISRO scientists

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday congratulated ISRO on the successful launch of its heaviest rocket, GSLV-Mark III.

In a message to K. Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Mukherjee said: "Please accept my heartiest congratulations to your team and you at the Indian Space Research Organization 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)'."

He said 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.

Congratulating the scientists, Modi in a statement said: "Successful launch of GSLV Mk-III is yet another triumph of brilliance and hardwork of our scientists. Congrats to them for the efforts."

India successfully test fired the 630-tonne Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III, its heaviest next generation rocket and the crew module from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh Thursday.