India demonstrates capability of launching Geosynchronous satellite

New Delhi: India has demonstrated the capability of launching 1.4 ton class of satellites using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and 2 ton class of satellites using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk II to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Indian Space Research Organization has taken up the development of a new generation launch vehicle named GSLV Mk III, with capability to launch up to 4 ton class of satellites to GTO. As a part of development, an experimental flight of GSLV Mk III with passive cryogenic stage was successfully launched on 18th December 2014 to validate the critical atmospheric regime of the flight. The endurance hot test of high thrust indigenous cryogenic engine of GSLV Mk III has been successfully conducted for duration of 800 seconds on 16th July, 2015. After the successful qualification of the integrated cryogenic engine and stage, the first developmental flight of GSLV Mk III is planned.

This information was given by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), Atomic Energy and Space in reply to unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today.