 "GSLV MK-III")
The first apogee motor-firing of GSAT-29, launched on Wednesday, was successfully performed today. The final firing to position the satellite is expected on Saturday.
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.
