ISRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES ITS HEAVIEST SATELLITE GSAT-29

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched GSAT-29 satellite from Sriharikota. This is India's heaviest satellite.

The heavy-lift rocket GSLV-MkIII-D2, also known as 'Bahubali', successfully injected into orbit the country's latest communication satellite GSAT-29 that is intended to meet the communication needs of people in remote areas in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir. 

The rocket blasted off at 5.08 pm from the spaceport at Sriharikota over 100 km from Chennai.

The 3,423 kg GSAT-29 carries Ka and Ku band high throughput transponders which will provide communication services to remote places in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir, besides aid the Centre's Digital India programme, ISRO chief K Sivan said.

ISRO scientists broke into cheers as the satellite was injected into a geosynchronous orbit, 16 minutes after lift-off. Sivan said the country had achieved a significant milestone following the successful launch and the injection of the satellite into the GTO was 'precise’.

ISRO scientists had termed the launch crucial for the space agency as the rocket would be used for the ambitious Chandrayaan-2 and the country's manned space missions.

*Image courtesy: ISRO*