HYDERABAD:  Indian Space Research Organisation plans to undertake next month the first developmental flight of a “game-changer” rocket capable of launching four-ton class of satellites from Sriharikota spaceport, says its Chairman A S Kiran Kumar.

ISRO rockets (launch vehicles) at present have the capability to launch satellites up to 2.2 tons; it depends on international launchers to orbit satellites heavier than that.

“Next month, we have scheduled the launch of GSLV-Mk III-D1”, Kiran Kumar told PTI.

The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency plans to undertake the second developmental flight within a year.

“By the time two developmental flights are over, we will be working towards making more launches so that it (GSLV-Mk III) becomes operational”, he said.

ISRO views operationalisation of this rocket as a “game-changer” for it, he said.

“Once we build our own four tonne capacity, we will be able to significantly reduce our launch from outside; then we are also looking at building satellites within that four-tonne capacity, so that you can do all the launches within the country,” Kiran Kumar said.

The GSLV-Mk III-D1 launcher would carry GSAT-19 satellite which has a mass of 3200 kg.