New Delhi: After scripting history last month by launching a record set of 104 satellites using a single rocket, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is getting ready for yet another big event – the launch of its heaviest rocket GSLV MkIII.


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As per reports, the Indian space agency is preparing for two launches in the next two months from Sriharikota. One is the GSLV MkIII rocket, the next generation vehicle of ISRO, that will carry the 3.2 tonne payload, the GSAT-19 satellite.


 


Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, told Lok Sabha that ISRO is all set to make the first developmental flight in the second quarter of 2017.


K. Sivan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, has earlier revealed that the space agency is planning to launch both the GSLV MkIII and GSLV MkII rockets in March and April.


On January 25, 201, ISRO successfully ground tested its indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage for GSLV MkIII.


According to ISRO, the GSLV MKIII launch vehicle is capable of launching 4 ton class spacecraft in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The vehicle consists of two solid strap-on motors (S200), one earth storable liquid core stage (L110) and the cryogenic stage upper stage (C25).


The GSLV MKIII is intended to launch satellites into geostationary orbit and as a launcher for an Indian crew vehicle.


ISRO set world record on February 15, 2017, for successfully launching huge number of satelites, including India's earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 series, into the polar sun synchronous orbit using its workhorse PSLV-C37 rocket, crossing another milestone in its low-cost space exploration mission.


ISRO's new feat beat the record held by Russia, which in 2014 propelled 37 satellites in a single launch. The record-breaking launch made it to the headlines of most news publications around the world, with global media hailing ISRO’s sparing, but successful space mission.