India launched a communication satellite using its most powerful rocket on Monday, improving its prospects of winning a bigger share of the more than $300 billion global space industry and its hopes of a manned mission.
The 13-story high rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III, or "Fat Boy," lifted off from the Sriharikota space center in southern India at 5:28 p.m. in clear blue skies.
At 6,914 lbs. the GSAT-19 satellite is the heaviest India has attempted to put in orbit, the space agency said.
The United States, Russia, China, Japan, and European Space Agency have the capability to launch satellites weighing more than three tonnes.
The launch was a couple weeks ago now, but it's welcome news. Perhaps a second iteration of the Space Race would get humanity into the wider solar system to stay.
Also: GLSV Mark III rocket conducts 'all-up' launch with GSAT-19 satellite
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @04:26AM (7 children)
Earth orbit isn't anywhere near the Moon.
Look!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_of_the_Moon#Scale_model [wikipedia.org]
Space Race? You're fucking deluded.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @04:46AM (5 children)
Wise man say the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @04:53AM (1 child)
The first step was in 1969. THE LAST STEP WAS IN 1972. The Space Race began AND ENDED before you were even born.
Get the fuck off my lawn.
(Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Thursday June 29 2017, @06:45AM
At the latest, 1957.
At the earliest, last Monday.
Ummm... no. Don't be rude to your elders.
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @05:06AM (2 children)
Oh yeah, let's interpret your ignorance literally, shall we? The Moon is two hundred thirty eight thousand nine hundred (238,900) miles away.
Journey of a thousand miles, you say? Up your fucking asshole, wise ass.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @05:10AM (1 child)
Woosh.
I guess you can get a mobility scooter for your effort.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 29 2017, @06:29AM
No... not a mobility scooter... I believe that would assume the guy is old...
An older person most likely has been exposed to education, as the phrase commented on is a well known axiom attributed to Lao Tzu of China, as he related great things often have humble beginnings.
The comment you replied to sounded to me like a newbie graduating from size 1 to size 2 diaper?
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Thursday June 29 2017, @01:59PM
Except in space distance doesn't matter much unless you're in a hurry - coasting for mind-bending distances comes free (as long as you can handle the radiation exposure)
What matters for the cost and difficulty is the required delta-V, and getting from the surface to low orbit is the hard part. From low orbit you can get anywhere in the solar system with not a whole lot more effort - almost none if you're willing to coast for a decade or so through the gravitational slingshots of the Interplanetary Transport Network.