The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) test fired a three-segment S200 solid-rocket booster Jan. 24 that it is building as a strap-on stage for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark 3 slated to make its debut in 2011.
The 22-meter-long booster fired for 130 seconds, producing over 1 million pounds of thrust as predicted, ISRO said in a press release. The test took place at the SatishDhawan Space Centre on the barrier island of Sriharikota in southeastern India.
“Nearly 600 health parameters were monitored during the test and the initial data indicates normal performance,” the release said.
The GSLV Mark 3 is designed to place a satellite weighing 4 metric tons into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
The GSLV Mark 1 and GSLV Mark 2 rockets launched five satellites between 2001 and 2007 weighing 1.5 to 2.5 metric tons.