ISRO Launches Heaviest ‘Baahubali’ Rocket: 8 Amazing Facts About GSLV Mk-III!

Tuesday, 13 November 2018, was when the countdown for the launch of ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III or GSLV Mk-III started. Referred to as Baahubali, India’s heaviest rocket is set to be launched at 5:08 p.m. today.

Here are eight interesting facts to know about the launcher which will launch the 33rd communications satellite made in India:

Similar Story

Architect's 'Beehive' Cooling System is Affordable & Reduces Electricity Bills by 65%

Monish Siripurapu has created ‘CoolAnt’, a natural cooler that uses the design of beehives to reduce room temperature during summer.

Read more >

1. GSLV Mk-III weighs 3,423kg and is the heaviest launcher in India. It is taller than a 13-story building (43 meters, to be precise) and even then, it is the shortest Indian launcher.

2. With a ‘unique high-resolution camera’ called GEO-EYE, the satellite launched by Baahubali will be able to track enemy ships in the Indian Ocean.

3. Aside from being an asset for the defence, this satellite will provide internet connectivity to remote and hilly areas in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East.

4. Dr K Sivan, the Chairman of ISRO says, “GSLV MK-III is capable of lifting up to 4-tonne mass to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit or a 10-ton payload to Low Earth Orbit… The payload for GSLV Mk-III- D2 is a very advanced high throughout satellite GSAT-29 is a very advanced high throughout satellite GSAT-29 which is a multi-beam communication satellite with a 3.4 tonne.”

5. The Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, located at 35,786 km above the equator is “a high Earth orbit that allows satellites to match the Earth’s rotation. Low Earth Orbits are satellite systems which orbit between 643.7 and 1609.3 km.

6. According to ISRO,

“The first stage of this giant vehicle consists of two S200 boosters which are 26.2 metres long and 3.2 metres in diameter.

Each has a capacity of carrying 205 tonnes of solid propellant. S200 is the 3rd largest solid rocket motor in the world.”

You may also like: Meet the Padma-Winning ISRO Pioneer Who Is Charting India’s Biggest Education Reform!

7. ISRO scientists were developing the rocket for 15 years and each launch costs over Rs 300 crores. This 67th launch, scheduled for 5:08 p.m. today will be at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

8. You can find out more details about the satellite launch in the ISRO video here.

Similar Story

IIT-M's Groundbreaking Innovation Helps Wheelchair Users Stand With The Press of a Button

After Arise, India’s first manual standing wheelchair, and NeoBolt, the country’s first motorised add-on for wheelchairs, IIT-Madras now develops the NeoStand, an indigenously developed and customisable electric standing wheelchair. Here’s how it works.

Read more >

GSLV Mk III-D2 is scheduled to launch India’s high throughput communication satellite #GSAT29 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 17:08 Hrs IST tomorrow.

Watch to know more about the mission : pic.twitter.com/Q1mfDcirPS

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 13, 2018

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.