India’s long term-space ambitions got a much-needed shot in the arm with the successful launch of the GSLV-F05, fired by an indigenously developed cryogenic engine.

The rocket also demonstrated, for the first time, the capability to launch a heavy payload — the INSAT 3DR — into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). The 2,211 kg advanced weather satellite will boost the country’s meteorological services.

Thursday’s launch of the GSLV-MKII is the fourth with the home-made cryo engine. The GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) can carry payloads of several tonnes. This will propel India into the lucrative commercial satellite launch market, which is estimated to be worth around $350 billion.

So far, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made considerable headway in both mastering the technology and grabbing commercial business in the launch of satellites into polar orbits through the Polar Satellite launch Vehicle (PSLV). However, it has faced limitations in near-orbit and payload weights of 1,500 kg. Hence, the GSLV becomes critical in India’s commercial and deep-space odyssey plans.

With three successful test flights of the MKII version since 2014, ISRO can now feel confident to place satellites up to three tonnes in GTO .

Its immediate challenge will be to undertake development and tests in the coming years of the next, ‘MK III avatar’, with advanced engine features to break into the big league of commercial launch flights.

It will also clear the flight path for big projects like ‘Man in Space’, Inter-planetary exploration and Mars and Moon missions in coming decades.

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