ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket GSLV-MkIII-D2 blasted off from Sriharikota on November 14 carrying India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-29 on board.
The 27-hour countdown for the launch began at 2.50 p.m. IST on November 13 and the rocket blasted off at 5.08 p.m. from the spaceport at Sriharikota, about 100 km from Chennai.
The 3,423 kg GSAT-29 carries Ka and Ku band high throughput transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users, including in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. The satellite was successfully injected into a geosynchronous orbit, 18 minutes after lift-off.
ISRO’s GSLV-MkIII-D2 rocket blasts off from Sriharikota on November 14, 2018. | Photo Credit: K. Pichumani
Cyclone Gaja had clouded the launch plans but with it changing course and conducive weather conditions prevailing, the rocket blasted off on schedule.