GSAT-29 launch successful; ISRO takes a crucial step towards country's first manned mission

India Wednesday successfully put into orbit its latest communication satellite with its heaviest rocket and the new space mission is expected to serve the communication needs of people in the remote areas of the country.

The textbook launch of the rocket GSLV-MkIII-D, which is dubbed by the ISRO as the 'Bahubali' or "fat boy" of Indian rockets, is also seen as crucial for the space agency as it would be used for the ambitious Chandrayaan-2(lunar mission) and the country's planned manned space mission. The 3,423 kg satellite GSAT-29 is also the heaviest Indian satellite to be put into orbit.

Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) chief K Sivan said while the rocket's first operational mission was going to be "none other than Chandrayaan" in January 2019, "this fantastic vehicle is going to carry humans to space in three years from now."
Sivan said the country had achieved a significant milestone following the successful launch and the injection of the satellite into the intended profit was 'precise.'