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ISRO launches India's heaviest rocket, satellite on board will aid communications

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Nov 14, 2018, 11:14 PM IST
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Photograph:(ANI)

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The GSLV-Mk III rocket stands 43.4 metres tall and weighs 640 tonnes. It is carrying the GSAT-29 communication satellite on board. 

India's heaviest rocket, the GSLV-MkIII-D2, blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 5.08 pm on Wednesday. It carried the GSAT-29 communication satellite on board.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the GSLV-MkIII stands 43.4 metres tall and weighs 640 tonnes.

The GSAT-29 satellite on board will boost communications in remote areas.

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This satellite will aid the communication needs of Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast region under Digital India programme of Government of India, said K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO.  

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The countdown for the rocket launch began at 2.50 p.m. on Tuesday.

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With a design life of 10 years, the GSAT-29 satellite carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users including those in remote areas.

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In addition, several new technologies such as Q/V-band payload, data transmission through optical communication link will be demonstrated. This will help in realising future advanced satellites, ISRO said.

This is 33rd communication satellite built by ISRO and fifth in 2018.