GSLV Mk3 launch Highlights: India’s heaviest rocket puts GSAT-19 satellite in space, ISRO chief says ‘historic day’

The rocket weighs 640 tonnes and the communications satellite GSAT-19 is 3,136kg. The mission’s success will enable India to launch four-tonne satellites on its own rocket instead of paying huge amounts of money to foreign space agencies to execute the operation.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the country’s heaviest rocket – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV-Mk III) – along with a communications satellite GSAT-19 at 5.28 pm on Monday.

ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III rocket lifts off from the space launch centre in Sriharikota on June 5.(AP Photo)

The rocket, weighing 640 tonnes and standing 43.43 metres tall, blasted off from the second launch pad at India’s rocket port at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, around 105 km from Chennai.

Below are the live updates

7: 00 pm: Our immediate task is to improve launch frequency: ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar

6: 34 pm: The launch was the culmination of work done over decades. From the information we have received, it’s a perfect launch: ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar

6: 32 pm: ISRO briefs the media post successful launch of GSLV MK3.

6:10 pm: Director of Space Applications Centre Tapan Misra says IRSO has given birth to a ‘Bahubali’ today describing the launch of the GSLV Mk III.

6:01 pm: C25 cryogenic stage is the most obedient boy of the ISRO. India has mastered the cryogenic technology and has joined an elite group of nations: ISRO scientist

5:58 pm: We have made a Make in India launch vehicle: ISRO scientist

5: 52 pm: Heartiest congratulations to ISRO on historic launch of GSLV-Mk III. Nation is proud of this significant achievement: President Mukherjee

5: 49 pm: PM Modi says the mission takes India closer to the next generation launch vehicle and satellite capability.

5:45pm: Today is a historic day...I take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team which worked on this project: ISRO Chief Kiran Kumar

5:45 pm: GSAT-19 successfully separated from the launch vehicle.

5:39 pm: Range director says performance of cryogenic engine normal.

5: 28 pm: GSLV Mk III D1 with communication satellite GSAT - 19 takes off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

5:26 pm: All main parameters turning green.

5: 21 pm: The rocket’s main and bigger cryogenic engine has been developed by space scientists indigenously. It will help India get a greater share of the multi-billion dollar global space market and reduce dependency on international launching vehicles.

5:10 pm: Mission directors gives clearance for launch

5:09 pm: Watch live streaming below

5:07 pm: The rocket will carry a 3,136-kg GSAT-19 communications satellite – the heaviest to be lifted by an Indian rocket till date – to an altitude of around 179km above the Earth after just over 16 minutes into the flight

4:55 pm: Live streaming starts

4: 20 pm: ISRO will broadcast the launch of the rocket on its website. You can watch it here

4: 15 pm: The countdown of 25 hours and 30 minutes began at 3.58 pm on Sunday.

(with inputs from agencies)