GSLV-Mark III - ISRO's most powerful rocket successfully launched

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched its heaviest and most powerful yet -- the GSLV-Mark III, which put the GSAT-19 satellite into orbit. The launch is being seen an India's entry into the 'heavy-lift rocket club' that can put four-tonne satellites into space. The U.S., Russia, Europe, China and Japan are already there. Panoramic view of the GSLV-Mk III-D1 being moved to the second launch pad in Sriharikota on June 2, 2017. | Photo Credit: PTI

Live updates:

5: 50 p.m: "Congratulations to the dedicated scientists of ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV – MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission," Prime Minister NArendra Modi tweeted. 5: 40 p.m: Today is a historic day, ISRO's Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar says. I take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team which worked on this project, he says. 5: 28 p.m: And it's off! GSLV-Mark III's liftoff has been termed 'normal'. GSAT—19 successfully put into orbit. 5: 20 p.m: T-minus 8 minutes! The GSLV-D1 will be powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine. While indigenous cryogenic engines have been carried on earlier flights as well in recent years, they were modelled on cryogenic engines designed by Russia. “This cryogenic engine is out- and-out indigenous. That makes it unique,” an ISRO official told The Hindu.