NEW DELHI: Space agency of India has successfully tested most powerful satellite launch vehicle that can carry heavier payloads into space, and, it hopes, win India a bigger slice of the $300 billion global space industry.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) also checked the working of an unmanned crew module on the vehicle, which could give the agency the option of manned missions.
Once operational, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III will be able to put satellites weighing about 4 tonnes into orbit, almost doubling India’s current capability.
“The powerful launch vehicle … will change our destiny in placing various spacecraft into communication orbits,” said S. Somnath, project director of the new GSLV vehicle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to develop India’s 50-year-old space program and the government increased funding for space research by 50 percent to almost $1 billion this financial year.
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