Isro completes launch rehearsal of lunar crew module

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) today successfully carried out a rehearsal of the maiden launch of its heaviest launch vehicle GSLV Mk III, which would carry out the 'Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE)' on a suborbital mission on 18 December.

Isro will test-fly its heaviest rocket, GSLV-Mk III, on 18 December at around 9.30 am from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

"The nine hour 30 minute launch rehearsal of Isro LVM3 has just been successfully completed," Isro said in its social networking site.

Isro sources said the countdown for the launch of GSLV Mk III/X CARE Mission (also known as LMV 3) would commence around 8.30 AM on 17 December at Sriharikota.

GSLV Mk III is designed for launching heavier satellites like INSAT-class, which weigh 4,500 to 5,000 kg. It would also enhance the capability of the country to be a competitive player in the multimillion dollar commercial launch market.

The three-stage vehicle, which is 42.4 metres tall with a lift off weight of 630 tonnes will, however, be used only to carry out a crew module experiment in a suborbital flight at a height of 120 km.

The countdown would start at around 8:30 am on 17 December and the lift off of the launch has been scheduled at 9 AM on 18 December.

The year has been a busy one for Isro as the latest experiment comes after Isro's successful launch of the Mangalyaan spacecraft orbiting Mars and the recent launch of communication satellite GSAT-16.