India to launch its largest rocket GSLV Mark-III today

India is all geared up to launch its first experimental suborbital flight of  latest generation Launch Vehicle — GSLV Mark-III, carrying Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE), today at 9:30 am.

Senior Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) official told Deccan Herald that the parameters of the vehicle, to be launched today, at the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, have been thoroughly checked.

“All the health parameters of the vehicle were normal and the propellant filling operation of second stage of the rocket is completed by 1 pm,” said the official.

Though the weathermen have predicted isolated rain over coastal region, the Isro officials are confident that the launch would not be affected even by a downpour.

The mission assumes more significance as this experimental flight is to validate the complex atmospheric ascent regime of this all new launcher, especially the aerodynamic and control features that cannot be conclusively tested on ground.

The 630 tonne rocket is powered by liquid and solid fuel engines while the cryogenic stage/engine is a passive one.

Isro officials said that this sub-orbital flight, the launcher, would climb to an altitude of about 125 km.

The space agency has spent about Rs 150 crore for this experimental mission which will not carry any satellite as the cryogenic engine needed for the purpose is still under development.