Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully testes its largest solid propellant booster, S200.

An ISRO statement released today said, "Solid propellant booster Rocket Stage S200 underwent the test at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in the spaceport of Sriharikota, 80 kms northwest of Chennai."

The S200 is to be used in the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV-Mk III) launch vehicle being developed for putting heavier satellites in space. It is the third largest solid booster in the world after NASA's RSRM solid booster and P230 solid booster of European rocket ARIANE-5.

The GSLV Mk III launch vehicle will make the country capable of launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class weighing 4500 to 5000 kg indigenously. It will also enhance capability and make ISRO a competitive player in the multimillion dollar commercial launch market.

The booster will form the strap on stage for GSLV-Mk III. In three segments, it contains 200 tonnes of solid propellant. It is 22 meters long and 3.2 meters in diameter.

The firing of the motor began at 8 am and the test lasted its full duration of 130 seconds.