Launch of GSLV Mk III - India's heaviest rocket

"The nation is proud of this significant achievement," President Mukherjee added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> GSLV-Mk III is the heaviest rocket ever made by India and is capable of carrying the heaviest satellites made till date <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentMukherjee?src=hash">#PresidentMukherjee</a></p> &mdash; President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/RashtrapatiBhvn/status/871702572876345344">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nation is proud, says PM Modi

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> The GSLV &ndash; MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission takes India closer to the next generation launch vehicle and satellite capability. The nation is proud!</p> &mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/871703065484816385">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PM Modi congratulates ISRO on the successful launch.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Congratulations to the dedicated scientists of ISRO for the successful launch of GSLV &ndash; MKIII D1/GSAT-19 mission.</p> &mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/871702786760728576">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"> ISRO launches its most powerful rocket GSLV Mark III carrying GSAT-19 communication satellite from Sriharikota, AP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GSLVMK3?src=hash">#GSLVMK3</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Tnme9Qlz5">pic.twitter.com/3Tnme9Qlz5</a></p> &mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/871702048848322564">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team which worked on this project

GSLV MkIII, powered by indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine, successfully places comsat GSAT-19 into orbit in its first developmental flight

ISRO scripts history with the launch of GSLV Mk III

India's heaviest rocket lifts off.

The final countdown to the launch begins.

28 minutes left for the launch. Stay tuned.

The first developmental flight of GLSV MkIII, powered by indigenous high thrust cyrogenic engine, carrying Comsat GSAT-19 is scheduled for lift off from Sriharikota at 5.28pm

Top Isro scientists arrive at mission control centre in Sriharikota for the launch.

Isro chairman Kiran Kumar arrives at the mission control centre at Sriharikota and interacts with scientists.

https://t.co/4Odk99Lp8h pic.twitter.com/UE0MxzNgIQ

& ISRO (@isro) June 4, 2017

Isro's upcoming endeavours - the GSAT-19 and the GSAT-11 satellites - are potential game changers and can revolutionise communications by empowering a digital India and providing internet services and streaming like never before.

ISRO began work to build indigenous cryogenic engine in the 1970s, though it gained momentum after Russia denied transfer of technology . But it was delayed as the space agency had to focus on their immediate requirements including development of Vikas engine, which now powers both PSLV and GSLV .

The rocket is a three-stage vehicle with indigenous cryogenic upper stage engine designed to carry heavier communication satellites into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The GSLV Mk III D1 rocket is scheduled for lift off at 5.28pm today from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.