GSLV launch suffers technical failure at Stage One

CHENNAI - The launch of India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-5P on board GSLV-F06 vehicle from the Sriharikota rocket launch centre in Tamil Nadu failed on Saturday due to technical failure at Stage One.

The 30-hour count down for the launch of the satellite, which will ensure continuity of telecom, television and weather services after an earlier satellite is retired, had begun on Friday.

The launch of the satellite, which was originally scheduled for December 20, had been postponed after a leak in the Russian cryogenic engine on board the launch vehicle.

GSAT-5P with 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders is meant for augmenting communication services currently provided by Indian National Satellite System (INSAT).

It is meant to boost TV, telemedicine and tele-education, and telephone services.

The satellite, developed by ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, is the fifth in the GSAT series. It has a designed mission life of 12 years. (ANI)