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The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has scheduled its first experimental suborbital flight for December 18.
Isro on Friday officially announced the launch date, adding that the flight planned will carry active solid boosters, liquid core stage and a passive cryo stage.
This will be the first experimental suborbital flight of India's latest generation launch vehicle — GSLV Mk-III which is carrying the Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE). The flight will take off from Isro's space station Sriharikotta, near Chennai.
This will be the test launch for Isro's heaviest and upgraded rocket, the GSLV - Mark III).
Earlier M Y S Prasad, director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR — Sriharikota said: "The main purpose of the mission is to test the atmospheric characteristics and stability of the rocket on its way up. We also decided to use the opportunity to test one component of — crew module — the human space mission that India may embark upon at a later date." The cost of this experimental mission is Rs 155 crore.
"This will be India's new launch vehicle. It is bigger and can carry satellites up to 4 tonnes," said Somanath, project director, GSLV Mark III.
According to Prasad, this rocket will not have the critical cryogenic engine for placing 4-tonne satellites into orbit.
"The cryogenic engine is under development and it will take another two years to be ready," said Prasad.
As the other rocket engines are ready, Isro has decided to have this mission and the crew module will not carry any living being and it is only for study purposes, Isro clarified.
The 630-tonne rocket will go upto 126 kms and then the crew capsule will be detached and it will fall into the Bay of Bengal, after 20 minutes of the blast off.
