ISRO's LVM3-M5 rocket with 'heaviest' communication satellite lifts off
Sriharikota (PTI): An ISRO heavylift rocket with communication satellite CMS-03, the 'heaviest' to be carried by an Indian launch vehicle and into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), lifted off from the spaceport here on Sunday.
After the 24 hour countdown concluded, the 43.5 metre tall rocket soared into the skies at the prefixed time of 5.26 pm from the second launch pad at this spaceport, about 135 km from Chennai, emanating bright orange coloured fumes on its tail.
The satellite riding piggyback on the LVM3-M5 rocket, after a flight journey of about 16-20 minutes, is expected to be separated upon reaching an altitude of about 180 km, ISRO said.
The CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that would provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, ISRO said.
It is the heaviest satellite to be carried by a domestic rocket, launched from the Indian soil and into the GTO.
The Indian space agency has been utilizing the Kourou launch base in French Guiana for launching heavier satellites. In December 2018, ISRO had successfully launched communication satellite GSAT-11, weighing about 5,854 kg and the heaviest spacecraft built by the space agency, from French Guiana.
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AAP leader says police booked him for protest for Wangchuk
New Delhi (PTI): AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday claimed that he was booked by police for taking out a candle march in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The Delhi Aam Aadmi Party president said he was booked even though the case against Wangchuk had ended.
"This new case has been registered for a candle march is registered for a candle light March at Jantar Mantar on the day Wangchuk was arrested," he said, terming it a "fake" case.
The Delhi Police was yet to respond to the allegation.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court disposed of a plea by Wangchuk's wife against the detention of the activist under the National Security Act (NSA).
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale noted that the Centre had revoked its order of Wangchuk's detention on March 14, and there was nothing left in the matter.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year, two days after the protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh.
More than 45 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in the protests.
