The cryogenic engine for the latest GSLV Mark III rocket capable of carrying heavier payloads upto four tonnes, is expected to be ready within two years, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said on Thursday.

Announcing the success of the GSLV Mark-III (LVM3X/CARE) experimental mission from the Mission Control Centre, he said the cryogenic engine was being developed at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The GSLV Mk III was on Thursday launched with active S200 and L110 propulsive stages and a passive cryogenic stage (C25) with dummy engine.

Radhakrishnan also said ISRO was gearing up for the launch of another Indian Regional Navigational Satellites System (IRNSS) series satellite in the first week of March next year. The space agency has already launched three of the seven IRNSS series satellites.

The system would make India join a select group of countries having their own navigation systems.