India took another key step forward in its space journey on Wednesday as Indian space agency ISRO’s fifth generation heavy lift launch vehicle GSLV Mark III D2 successfully placed communication satellite GSAT-29 in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The 3423 kg satellite carries Ka and Ku band high throughput transponders, which will provide communication services to remote places in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir.

‘My heartiest congratulations to our scientists on the successful launch of GSLV MK III-D2 carrying GSAT-29 satellite. The double success sets a new record of putting the heaviest satellite in orbit by an Indian launch vehicle. @isro’

ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan said that the successful launch would further strengthen the Digital India initiative.

The launch vehicle GSLV Mark III D2 placed the satellite in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, a little over 16 minutes after the lift off at 1708 hrs on Wednesday.

The satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit using the onboard propulsion system within the next few days after separation from launcher to reach
the orbital slot.

The satellite is equipped with a high resolution camera and optical communication payloads.

The launch marked the second successful developmental flight for GSLV Mark III, designed to carry 4 ton class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The first developmental flight of the launch vehicle was on 5th June last year, when it successfully placed GSAT 19 in orbit.

The success will enable the launch vehicle to be deployed for Chandrayan 2 and India’s first manned mission to space.