<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">In an important milestone, ISRO, India's Space Research Organisation successfully conducted the static test of a human-rated solid rocket booster HS-200, a key component for the Gaganyaan manned mission programme. The test was conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the spaceport of India. HS-200 booster loaded with 203 tonnes of solid propellant was tested for a duration of 135 seconds. </p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">HS-200 rocket booster is the human-rated version of the well proven S-200 rocket booster of GSLV Mark-II satellite launch vehicle, popularly known as LVM3. The successful test today is a major step towards realising the prestigious human space flight mission of ISRO, the Gaganyaan. The event that took place at 7.20 a.m. today was witnessed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath along with other senior ISRO scientists.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"> The HS200 booster was developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and propellant casting was completed at SHAR, Sriharikota. The 20-metre long and 3.2-metre diameter booster is the world's second-largest operational booster with solid propellant. A host of design improvements are being carried out in the GSLV Mark II launch vehicle to include additional safety features for motor case joints and robust insulation and ignition systems. The launch vehicle is fully indigenous developed by ISRO in participation with various industries spread across the country.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>