The Space Program's video: GSLV Mk III D2 launches GSAT-29

India launched the third flight of its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.III Wednesday, carrying the GSAT-29 satellite into orbit. Liftoff from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre occurred at 17:08 local time (11:38 UTC). The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.III, or GSLV Mk.III, is India’s newest and most powerful rocket. After making a suborbital demonstration launch in late 2014, the rocket made its first orbital mission last June when it deployed the GSAT-19 spacecraft. GSAT-29 is a high-throughput telecommunications satellite that will join the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) fleet in geostationary orbit. The 3,423-kilogram (7,546-pound) spacecraft was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is based around the I-3K platform. ISRO will also operate the satellite and conducted Wednesday’s launch that placed it into orbit.