All arrangements have been made for the launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mark-III from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh today at 9.30 a.m. The count down process for the test launch of India’s heaviest and next generation rocket GSLV Mark III has been progressing smoothly and the stage has been set for the spectacular event of the crew module atmospheric re-entry experiment. This is the first time that such an exercise will be conducted by ISRO scientists.

The objective of the mission is to demonstrate the re- entry characteristics like testing of parachute system, aero braking and related aspects. The GSLV mark III which weighs 630 tonnes will be powered by liquid and solid fuel engines while the cryogenic engine at the top will be filled with liquid nitrogen. AIR correspondent reports, this experimental mission, which will cost 155 crore rupees, will not carry any other satellite.

The Director of the Indian Space Centre at Sriharikota Dr. M.Y.S. Prasad said that the crew module after being recovered from the sea will first be taken to the Ennore Port , then to Sriharikota and finally to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram.