The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its GSLV Mk III with the GSAT-29 satellite from Sriharikota on Wednesday. With this successful developmental flight, Isro gets a new launcher, which can carry heavy satellites. Besides, it will also give a boost two crucial programmes of Isro - Chandrayaan-2 and the Human Space Programme.
GSAT-29 is a multibeam, multi-band communication satellite weighing 3423 kgs. The spacecraft will be located at 55 degrees east longitude and has been designed for a mission life of 10 years. The satellite will provide communication services to the Northeast region and Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate execution of Digital India initiatives, ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan said.
Isro said that the first apogee motor-firing of GSAT-29 was successfully performed by scientists at MCF, Hassan. Two more orbit-raising manoeuvers are scheduled for November 16 and for November 17 to position the satellite in geostationary orbit.
The satellite was placed in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on Wednesday.