India launches most powerful rocket

India has launched its most powerful homegrown rocket to date Ð  the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III)

GSLV Mk III Weight: 640 tonnes

Payload fairing Will carry 3,136kg GSAT-19 communications satellite Ð heaviest lifted
by Indian rocket to date Ð to altitude of 179km in just over 16 minutes

Third stage: Powered by CE-20 cryogenic engine, carries 28 tonnes of fuel

CHINA
New Delhi
INDIA
Mumbai
Bay of Bengal
Sriharikota Launch site

EVOLUTION OF INDIAÕS SPACE LAUNCHERS

Height 22m Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) First flight 1980

24m Augmented SLV 1987

44m Polar SLV 1993

49m GSLV Mk II 2001

43m GSLV Mk III Jun 5 2017

Second stage: 4m diameter, carries 110 tonnes of liquid propellant. Powered by two Vikas engine that ignite 114 seconds after lift-off

First stage: Two strap-on solid rocket boosters, each with 205 tonnes of propellant. Separation occurs about 140 seconds after lift-off

Source: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)