ISRO's GSLV Mark III rocket launched successfully

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO’s) first sub-orbital flight and India’s latest generation launch vehicle- GSLV Mark-III X was successfully lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III (GSLV Mk-III)  was carrying payload – Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE) weighing 3775 kg.
Mission: It was a suborbital experimental flight mission which aimed to test the vehicle’s performance during the critical atmospheric phase of its flight and thus carried a passive (non-functional) cryogenic upper stage.
Objective:

• To test the rocket’s atmospheric flight stability with CARE payload and to the intended height of 126 km.
• To study the re-entry characteristics of the crew module- CARE and its aero braking and validation of its end-to-end parachute system.

Successful experimental flight

• The flight mission began with the successful launch of GSLV Mk-III from the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota.
• After the launch, GSLV Mk-III carried its payload CARE to the intended height of 126 km.
• Following this, CARE separated from the upper stage of GSLV Mk-III and re-entered the atmosphere and safely landed over Bay of Bengal with the help of its parachutes after successful lift-off of launch vehicle.

Thus, this successful launch will help India in perfecting the cryogenic engine technology and help to become self-reliant in launching communication satellites.
About GSLV-Mark III
The GSLV-Mark III is a three stage/engine launch vehicle.
Its first stage comprises two identical S-200 large solid boosters with 200 tonne solid propellant that are strapped on to the second stage, the L110 re-startable liquid stage.
The third stage/engine is the cryogenic which is more efficient as it provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant burnt.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2014