NEW DELHI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- India Monday launched its heaviest rocket, along with a satellite, that is believed to be able to send humans into space in the future.
The home-made rocket, named Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or (GSLV) Mark III, lifted off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state at 5:28 p.m. local time.
The communication satellite that the rocket carried weighs more than three tonnes, state-owned Indian Space Research Organisation said.
"Today is a historic day. The rocket has successfully put the satellite into orbit," ISRO chief A.S Kiran Kumar said.
The countdown for the launch of the 640-tonne rocket began Sunday.