ISRO which did the nation proud with many stellar achievements is now all set to launch its heaviest satellite today. This is India's most powerful home grown satellite which will make the country's indigenous program a proud one.
The 640-ton GSLV Mk III rocket - as much as 200 full-grown Asian elephants or five Jumbo jets may some day carry humans into space. It will be launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 5.28 PM.
Scientists developed the rocket for over 115 years at a cost of Rs 300crs. It is as high as a 13-storey building and can launch satellites as heavy as 4 tonnes (4,000 kg). India till now has been taking the help of foregin nations for the launch of ccommunication satellites beyound 2.3 tonnes, but India is now all set to create record with 3,136kg satellite.
The rocket is powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine that uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants. India is planning to fly a woman to be the first person into spce for the human space mission. ISRO already developed the critical technologies for human space mission. The space suit is ready and a crew module was tested in 2014.
The ISRO has asked the Centre for Rs 12,500 crore for its mission to put humans in space. If approved, the work is expected to take roughly seven years.Till now only Russia, USA and China sent astronauts into space. The first Indian to fly into space was Squadron leader Rakesh Sharma. He went into space in 1984 as part of a joint programme by ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos space programme.
