India launched a communication satellite using its most powerful rocket on Monday, improving its prospects of winning a bigger share of the more than $300 billion global space industry and its hopes of a manned mission.
The 13-story high rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III, or "Fat Boy," lifted off from the Sriharikota space center in southern India at 5:28 p.m. in clear blue skies.
At 6,914 lbs. the GSAT-19 satellite is the heaviest India has attempted to put in orbit, the space agency said.
The United States, Russia, China, Japan, and European Space Agency have the capability to launch satellites weighing more than three tonnes.
The launch was a couple weeks ago now, but it's welcome news. Perhaps a second iteration of the Space Race would get humanity into the wider solar system to stay.
Also: GLSV Mark III rocket conducts 'all-up' launch with GSAT-19 satellite
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Thursday June 29 2017, @05:08AM (1 child)
I'll assume the currency used is US$ not Indian INR.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, built 1971 and owned by the Indian government.
I think they will have a long path to catch up with SpaceX which will likely be able to beat them on satellite launch price. It's however peculiar that India and say not the Middle east, Africa, South America, etc is up to launch anything big at all successfully.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Thursday June 29 2017, @06:36PM
Are those metric stories, Imperial-UK stories, or Imperial-US stories?
I need to know if I'm going up using the lift, elevator, or stairs. I left my carbonated drink at the top, and I don't even know how to name that anymore: el soda, or gaseosa?