Despite being a developing economy with its attendant problems, India has effectively developed space technology and has applied it successfully for its rapid development and today is offering a variety of space services globally. During the formative decade of 1960s, space research was conducted by India mainly with the help of sounding rockets. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969. Space research activities were provided additional fillip with the formation of the Space Commission and the Department of Space by the government of India in 1972. And, ISRO was brought under the Department of Space in the same year. In the history of the Indian space programme, 70s were the era of Experimentation during which experimental satellite programmes like Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, Rohini and Apple were conducted. The success of those programmes, led to era of operationalisation in 80s during which operational satellite programmes like INSAT and IRS came into being. Today, INSAT and IRS are the major programmes of ISRO.

1. Indian Space Programme
Despite being a developing economy with its attendant problems, India has effectively developed
space technology and has applied it successfully for its rapid development and today is offering a
variety of space services globally. During the formative decade of 1960s, space research was
conducted by India mainly with the help of sounding rockets. The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969. Space research activities were provided additional
fillip with the formation of the Space Commission and the Department of Space by the
government of India in 1972. And, ISRO was brought under the Department of Space in the
same year. In the history of the Indian space programme, 70s were the era of Experimentation
during which experimental satellite programmes like Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, Rohini and Apple
were conducted. The success of those programmes, led to era of operationalisation in 80s during
which operational satellite programmes like INSAT and IRS came into being. Today, INSAT
and IRS are the major programmes of ISRO.
For launching its spacecraft indigenously, India is having a robust launch vehicle programme,
which has matured to the state of offering launch services to the outside world. Antrix, the
commercial arm of the Department of Space, is marketing India’s space services globally.
Fruitful co-operation with other space faring nations, international bodies and the developing
world is one of the main characteristics of India's space programme.
The most significant milestone of the Indian Space Programme during the year 2005-2006 was
the successful launch of PSLV-C6. On 5 May 2005, the ninth flight of Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV-C6) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota successfully
placed two satellites - the 1560 kg CARTOSTAR-1 and 42 kg HAMSAT - into a predetermined
polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Coming after seven launch successes in a row, the success
of PSLV-C6 further demonstrated the reliability of PSLV and its capability to place payloads
weighing up to 1600 kg satellites into a 600 km high polar SSO.
The successful launch of INSAT-4A, the heaviest and most powerful satellite built by India so
far; on 22 December 2005 was the other major event of the year 2005-06. INSAT-4A is capable
of providing Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasting services.
Besides, the setting up of the second cluster of nine Village Resource Centres (VRCs) was an
important ongoing initiative of the Department of Space during the year. VRC concept integrates
the capabilities of communications and earth observation satellites to provide a variety of
information emanating from space systems and other IT tools to address the changing and critical
needs of rural communities.
India in space
The History of Indian Space Programme

2. Space technology has allowed the nation of India to move into the world of high technology, a
place previously occupied only by more-developed nations.
Indian space programme began in 1962 by the setting up of Indian National Committee for
Space Research (INCOSPAR). The space program concentrated on achieving self reliance and
developing capability to build and launch communication satellites for television broadcast,
telecommunications and meteorological applications; remote sensing satellites for management
of natural resources.
In recent years, India has concentrated much of its space development work on complex
applications satellites and more powerful rockets. The nation's two main interests are satellites
for remote sensing and communications -- used for weather pictures, disaster warnings and feeds
to 552 television and 164 radio stations on the ground.
Indian Space Pioneers
Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai founded India 's space program after
envisioning Indian satellites that could provide communications,
meteorology, remote sensing, and direct-to-home television
broadcasting.
He founded the Physical Research Laboratory, the Space Science
Research Institute, the Department of Space, and the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO).
In 1962, Sarabhai organized space research as chairman of Indian
National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR).
He set up of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and began manufacturing
sounding rockets in India . He drew up plans to transmit education to remote villages across
India with the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE).
After Sarabhai died in 1971, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Tiruvananthapuram is
named for him.

3. Satish Dhawan
Another early developer of India 's space program was Satish
Dhawan. He was the longest serving director of the Indian
Institute of Science when he died in 2002.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked him to head the nation's
space program. When the space scientist and former chairman of
ISRO died, Indian President, K. R. Narayanan said, "India's space
programmes owe to a great extent its spectacular growth and high
level of maturity to the stewardship and visionary leadership of
Prof. Dhawan."
(Source:spacetoday)
ISRO
Indian Space Research Organization
ISRO was set up in 1969 with its head quarters at Bangalore . ISRO has established two major
space systems, INSAT for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services,
and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) system for resources monitoring and management.
ISRO has developed two satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place INSAT and IRS
satellites in the required orbits.
Accordingly, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two
major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services
and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.
Indian space programme - Organizational chart:

4. The Space Commission
The Space Commission was set up in 1972. This Commission formulates the policies and
oversees the implementation of the Indian space programme to promote the development and
application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country.
DOS implements these programs through, mainly Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL),
North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) and Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL).
The Antrix Corporation, established in 1992 as a government owned company, markets the space
products and services.
Antrix
The Antrix Corporation Limited is under the administrative control of the Department of Space,
Government of India. Antrix Corporation Limited was incorporated as a private limited company
wholly owned by Government of India, in September 1992 as a Marketing arm of Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) for promotion and commercial exploitation of space products,

5. technical consultancy services and transfer of technologies developed by ISRO. Another major
objective is to facilitate development of space related industrial capabilities in India.
Antrix is engaged in providing Space products & services to international customers worldwide.
Antrix, which is an INR 950 Cr. Company in 2007-08 got the "Miniratna" status by the
Government of India in 2008. Antrix is a one-stop-shop for any of the space products, ranging
from supply of hardware and software including simple subsystems to a complex spacecraft, for
varied applications covering communications, earth observation, scientific missions; space
related service including remote sensing data series, Transponders lease service; Launch services
through the operational launch vehicles (PSLV and GSLV); Mission support services; and a host
of consultancy and training services are also offered by Antrix.
ISRO Establishments
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum
• VSSC is the major center of ISRO
• Responsible for development of rocket launch vehicles and sounding rockets.
• The Space Physics Laboratory at VSSC carries out research and studies in atmospheric science
and other related space science activities.
• Ammonium Per chlorate Experimental Plant (APEP) at Aluva in Kerala is a part of VSSC.
• The major programmes at VSSC include launch vehicle projects of Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicles (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV Mark II and Mark III),
Rohini Sounding Rockets, Space-capsule Recovery Experiments, Reusable Launch Vehicles and
Air Breathing Propulsion for Advanced Reusable Launch Vehicles.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SDSC), Sriharikota
• A launch complex and production centre of propellants.
• launching satellite into low earth orbit, polar orbit and geostationary transfer orbit.
• It has facilities for launching sounding rockets meant for studying the earth's atmosphere.
• Achievements include establishment of launch complexes for Sounding rockets, SLV-3,
ASLV and PSLV. Launch complex augmented for GSLV.
ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore
• Responsible for Space craft mainframe development.

6. • Achievements include design and development of more than 50 satellites so far of various
types like scientific, communication and remote sensing.
Space Application Centre(SAC), Ahmedabad
• Main centre for space application and development of spacecraft's payloads.
• SAC is a host institution for the training programmes related to Satellite Communication,
Satellite Meteorology and global change under the Centre for Space Science & Technology
Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) affiliated to the United Nations (UN).
Auxiliary Propulsion System Unit (APSU), Bangalore and Trivandrum
• Develops propulsion control packages for launch vehicles and spacecrafts.
Development & Educational Communication Unit (DECU), Ahmedabad
• Produces development and educational television programmes.
• To promote the satellite-based communication systems to support development, education &
training like Tele-Education (Edusat), Tele-Medicine (TM), Gramsat Program, Satcom
Applications.
ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)
• ISTRAC is responsible for providing Space Operation services that include spacecraft control,
TTC support services
• Development of RADAR systems for tracking & atmospheric applications and Establishment
of Ground Segment Network for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System of ISRO are the
additional responsibilities of ISTRAC
• Consist of five ground stations located at Sriharikota, Kovalpur, Trivandrum , Car Nicobar and
Ahmedabad with head Quarters at Bangalore .
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad
• For utilizing the potential of remote sensing, mainly in the context of natural resources survey.
• Indian National Satellite Space Segment Project Office (INSAT-INSSPO).
• Responsible for implementation and operation of the space segment for INSAT.
• The master control facility for INSAT spacecrafts is located at Hassan in Karnataka. The
second centre is at Bhopal .

7. Physical ResearchLaboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
• To carry out research in outer space.
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station(TERLS)
• A US Sponsored mission near Trivandrum (Kerala) is a rocket launching Facility which
became operational in 1963.
Rocket Propellant plant (RPP), Thumba
• Commissioned in 1969, it is engaged in production of solid propellant blocks to support rocket
launching programmes.
Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES), Ahmedabad
• Set up in 1967, to impart instruction in Satellite Communication Technology.
Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), Ahmedabad
• set up in 1970, to conduct join TV experiments.
Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station, Arvi, Pune
• India 's first Satellite Communication Earth Station. It operates through the Intersat-III satellite
positioned over the Indian Ocean . Second station has been opened at Dehradun.
National Mesosphere Stratosphere Troposphere ReaderFacility (NMRF) – Gadanki (near
Tirupati)
• To carry out atmospheric research.
ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Thiruvananthapuram
• To carry out research and development in the area of inertial sensors & systems and allied
satellite elements.
• This unit has the total capability to design, engineer, develop, qualify and deliver inertial
systems for the entire Indian Space programme.
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala
• Liquid Propulsion for ISRO's Launch Vehicle and Spacecraft programmes.
• The activities are spread across Valiamala / Thiruvananthapuram, Mahendragiri and
Bangalore.

8. • LPSC, Valiamala is responsible for research and development of Earth Storable and Cryogenic
propulsion and delivers Engines, stages, associated control systems and components for Launch
Vehicle and Spacecrafts.
• LPSC, Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu and is responsible for Assembly, Integration & Testing
and Propellant storage & Servicing for launch vehicle engines & stages.
• LPSC, Bangalore is responsible for Satellite Propulsion Systems Integration for GEOSAT and
IRS programmes.
MasterControl Facility(MCF), Hassan and Bhopal
• Monitors and controls all the geo-stationary satellites of ISRO.
• The operations involve continuous tracking, telemetry and commanding, special operations
like eclipse management, station-keeping manoeuvres and recovery in case of contingencies.
Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems, Bangalore
• Design, development and production of Electro-Optic sensors and camera optics for satellites
and launch vehicles.
• LEOS is situated at Peenya Industrial Estate, Bangalore where the first
Indian Satellite Aryabhata was fabricated in 1975. Milestones of ISRO
Milestones Of Indian Space Programme
1962 - Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) formed by the Department
of Atomic Energy and work on establishing Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
(TERLS) started.
1963 - First sounding rocket launched from TERLS (November 21, 1963).
1965 - Space Science & Technology Centre (SSTC) established in Thumba.
1967 - Satellite Telecommunication Earth Station set up at Ahmedabad.
1968 - TERLS dedicated to the United Nations (February 2, 1968).
1969 - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) formed under Department of Atomic Energy
(August 15, 1969).
1972 - Space Commission and Department of Space set up (June 1, 1972). ISRO brought under
DOS.

9. 1972-1976 - Air-borne remote sensing experiments.
Satellite
Launch
Date
Launch
Vehicle
Type of Satellite
Launch
site
Aryabhata 19.04.1975 C-1 Intercosmos
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Baikanur
Bhaskara-I 07.06.1979 C-1 Intercosmos
Earth Observation
Satellite
Baikanur
Rohini Technology
Payload(RTP)
10.08.1979 SLV-3
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Sriharikota
Rohini (RS-1) 18.07.1980 SLV-3
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Sriharikota
Rohini (RS-D1) 31.05.1981 SLV-3
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
Ariane Passenger
PayloadExperiment
(APPLE)
19.06.1981 Ariane-1(V-3) Geo-StationarySatellite
Kourou(CSG),
French
Guyana
Bhaskara-II 20.11.1981 C-1 Intercosmos
Earth Observation
Satellite
Baikanur
INSAT-1A 10.04.1982
Delta 3910
PAM-D
Geo-StationarySatellite America
Rohini (RS-D2) 17.04.1983 SLV-3
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-1B 30.08.1983 Shuttle [PAM-D] Geo-StationarySatellite America
StretchedRohini
Satellite Series
(SROSS-1)
24.03.1987 ASLV Space Mission Sriharikota

10. IRS-1A 17.03.1988 Vostok
Earth Observation
Satellite
Baikanur
StretchedRohini
Satellite Series
(SROSS-2)
13.07.1988 ASLV
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-1C 21.07.1988 Ariane-3 Geo-StationarySatellite
Kourou(CSG),
French
Guyana
INSAT-1D 12.06.1990 Delta 4925 Geo-StationarySatellite America
IRS-1B 29.08.1991 Vostok
Earth Observation
Satellite
Baikanur
StretchedRohini
Satellite Series
(SROSS-C)
20.05.1992 ASLV Space Mission Sriharikota
INSAT-2A 10.07.1992 Ariane-44L H10 Geo-StationarySatellite
Kourou(CSG),
French
Guyana
INSAT-2B 23.07.1993
Ariane-44L
H10+
Geo-StationarySatellite
Kourou(CSG),
French
Guyana
IRS-1E 20.09.1993 PSLV-D1
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
StretchedRohini
Satellite Series
(SROSS-C2)
04.05.1994 ASLV Space Mission Sriharikota
IRS-P2 15.10.1994 PSLV-D2
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-2C 07.12.1995 Ariane-44L H10- Geo-StationarySatellite Kourou(CSG),
French

11. 3 Guyana
IRS-1C 28.12.1995 Molniya
Earth Observation
Satellite
Baikanur
IRS-P3 21.03.1996 PSLV-D3
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-2D 04.06.1997
Ariane-44L H10-
3
Geo-StationarySatellite Kourou
IRS-1D 29.09.1997 PSLV-C1
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-2DT January 1998 Ariane-44L H10 Geo-StationarySatellite
INSAT-2E 03.04.1999
Ariane-42PH10-
3
Geo-StationarySatellite Kourou
Oceansat(IRS-P4) 26.05.1999 PSLV-C2
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-3B 22.03.2000 Ariane-5G Geo-StationarySatellite
French
Guyana
GSAT-1 18.04.2001 GSLV-D1 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharikota
Technology
ExperimentSatellite
(TES)
22.10.2001 PSLV-C3
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-3C 24.01.2002
Ariane-42L H10-
3
Geo-StationarySatellite
French
Guyana
KALPANA-1(METSAT) 12.09.2002 PSLV-C4 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharikota
GSAT-2 08.05.2003 GSLV-D2 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharikota
INSAT-3E 28.09.2003 Ariane-5G Geo-StationarySatellite French

12. Guyana
INSAT-3A 10.04.2003 Ariane-5G Geo-StationarySatellite
French
Guyana
Resourcesat-1(IRS-
P6)
17.10.2003 PSLV-C5
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
EDUSAT (GSAT-3) 20.09.2004 GSLV-F01 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharikota
CARTOSAT-1 05.05.2005 PSLV-C6
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
HAMSAT 05.05.2005 PSLV-C6
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Sriharikota
INSAT-4A 22.12.2005 Ariane-5GS Geo-StationarySatellite
INSAT-4C 10.07.2006 GSLV-F02 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharihota
INSAT-4CR 02.09.2007 GSLV-F04 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharihota
SRE – 1 10.01.2007 PSLV-C7
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Sriharihota
CARTOSAT– 2 10.01.2007 PSLV-C7
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharihota
INSAT-4B 12.03.2007 Ariane-5ECA Geo-StationarySatellite
French
Guyana
IMS-1 28.04.2008 PSLV-C9
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharihota
CARTOSAT- 2A 28.04.2008 PSLV-C9
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharihota
Chandrayaan-1 22.10.2008 PSLV-C11 Space Mission Sriharihota

13. RISAT-2 20.04.2009 PSLV-C12
Earth Observation
Satellite
ANUSAT 20.04.2009 PSLV-C12
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Oceansat-2 23.09.2009 PSLV-C14
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
GSAT-4 15.04.2010 GSLV-D3 Geo-StationarySatellite Sriharikota
CARTOSAT-2B 12.07.2010 PSLV-C15
Earth Observation
Satellite
Sriharikota
STUDSAT 12.07.2010 PSLV-C15
Experimental/Small
Satellite
Launch Vehicles
Launch Vehicles are used to transport and put satellites or spacecrafts into space. In India , the
launch vehicles development programme began in the early 1970s. The first experimental
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) was developed in 1980. Rohini Satellite was launched with its
help. In the second stage an augmented version of this, ASLV, was launched successfully in
1992. India has made tremendous strides in launch vehicle technology to achieve self-reliance in
satellite launch vehicle programme.
In the third stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was developed in which liquid
propellant was used for the first time along with solid propellants. In the fourth stage
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was developed. Its second and fourth stage
uses cryogenic engines. They use liquid hydrogen as fuel at -253 ° C and liquid oxygen at -183 °
C as oxidizer.
PSLV has repeatedly proved its reliability and versatility by launching 44 satellites /spacecrafts
(19 Indian and 25 for international customers) into a variety of orbits so far. ISRO also makes the
Rohini series of sounding rockets used by the Indian and international scientific community to
launch payloads to various altitudes for atmospheric research and other scientific investigations.

14. SLV-3:
Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), India's first
experimental satellite launch vehicle was successfully
launched on July 18, 1980 from SHAR Centre Sriharikota,
when Rohini satellite, RS-1, was placed in orbit.
It employed an open loop guidance (with stored pitch
programme) to steer the vehicle in flight along pre-
determined trajectory. The first experimental flight of SLV-
3, in August 1979, was only partially successful. Apart from
the July 1980 launch, there were two more launches held in
May 1981 and April 1983, orbiting Rohini satellites carrying
remote sensing sensors.
Typical Parameters of SLV:
 Height: 22m
 Weight: 17 tonnes
 Fuel: Solid
 Payload Weight: 40kg
 Orbit: Low Earth (300-900km)
ASLV:
Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) was
developed to act as a low cost intermediate vehicle to
demonstrate and validate critical technologies. The strap-on
stage consisted of two identical 1m diameter solid propellant
motors, Under the ASLV programme four developmental
flights were conducted.
The first developmental flight took place on March 24, 1987
and the second on July 13, 1988. ASLV-D3 was
successfully launched on May 20, 1992, when SROSS-C
(106 kg) was put into an orbit of 255 x 430 km. ASLV-D4,
launched on May 4, 1994, orbited SROSS-C2 weighing 106
kg. It had two payloads, Gamma Ray Burst (GRB)
Experiment and Retarding Potentio Analyzer (RPA) and
functioned for seven years. ASLV provided valuable inputs
for further development.
Typical Parameters of ASLV:

15.  Height: 23.8m
 Weight: 40 tonnes
 Fuel: Solid
 Payload Weight: 150kg
 Orbit: Low Earth (400 km circular orbits)
PSLV:
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle , s the first operational
launch vehicle of ISRO. PSLV is capable of launching 1600
kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050
kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit. PSLV has four
stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately.
The first stage is one of the largest solid propellant boosters
in the world and carries 139 tones of propellant. A cluster of
six strap-on attached to the first stage motor, four of which
are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit.
The reliability rate of PSLV has been superb. There had been
16 continuously successful flights of PSLV, till July 2010.
With its variant configurations, PSLV has proved its multi-
payload, multi-mission capability in a single launch and its
geosynchronous launch capability.
Typical Parameters of PSLV
 Height: 44m
 Weight: 295 tonnes
 Fuel: Solid, Liquid
 Payload Weight: 1600kg
 Orbit: Polar Synchronous (620 km)

16. GSLV:
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-
Mark I&II, is capable of placing INSAT–II class of
satellites (2000 – 2,500 kg) into Geosynchronous Transfer
Orbit (GTO). GSLV is a three stage vehicle. GSLV is 49
m tall, with 414 t lift off weight. It has a maximum
diameter of 3.4 m at the payload fairing. First stage
comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-
on. Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage
(GS3) is a cryo stage. The vehicle develops a lift off
thrust of 6573 KN.
The first flight of GSLV took place from SHAR on April
18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1. It was followed
by four more launches , GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003
(GSAT-2 1825 kg), GSLV-F01 on September 20, 2004
(EDUSAT 1950 kg), GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006, GSLV-
F04 on September 2, 2007 (INSAT-4CR 2130 kg) and
GSLV-D3 on April 15, 2010.
Typical Parameters of GSLV - Mark I&II
 Height: 49m
 Weight: 414 tonnes
 Fuel: Solid, Liquid, & Cryogenic
 Payload Weight: 2000kg
 Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)

17. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III is a
launch vehicle currently under development by the Indian
Space Research Organization. GSLV Mk III is conceived and
designed to make ISRO fully self reliant in launching heavier
communication satellites of INSAT-4 class, which weigh
4500 to 5000 kg. It would also enhance the capability of the
country to be a competitive player in the multimillion dollar
commercial launch market. The vehicle envisages multi-
mission launch capability for GTO, LEO, Polar and
intermediate circular orbits.
GSLV-Mk III is designed to be a three stage vehicle, with
42.4 m tall with a lift off weight of 630 tones. First stage
comprises two identical S200 Large Solid Booster (LSB)
with 200 tones solid propellant, that are strapped on to the
second stage, the L110 re-startable liquid stage. The third
stage is the C25 LOX/LH2 cryo stage. The large payload
fairing measures 5 m in diameter and can accommodate a
payload volume of 100 cu m. The development work on Mk
III is progressing as per schedule for a launch in 2012.
Typical Parameters of GSLV Mark III
 Height: 49m
 Weight: 630 tonnes
 Fuel: Solid, Liquid, & Cryogenic
 Payload Weight: 4500 to 5000kg
 Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)