Indian Space Research Organisation Prepares For Satellite Launch

The countdown begins for the launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) as Indian Space Research Organisation makes last minute preparations for the launch mission from Sriharikota in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

SRIHARIKOTA, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (JANUARY 04, 2014) ( (ISRO) - On Saturday (January 04), the countdown began for the launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made last minute preparations for the launch mission fromSriharikota in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

After facing numerous setbacks, ISRO would finally launch the GSLV-D5 on Sunday (January 05) evening.After ISRO's successful launch of its first rocket to Mars, all eyes are now glued on the space body to see whether the GSLV, powered by its own crucial cryogenic engine, would be successful or not.

Earlier, ISRO planned to launch the rocket in August 2013 but had to abort it just hours before the deadline due to fuel leakage from its second engine.

Reportedly, this would be the first mission of the GSLV after two such rocket launch failed in 2010.

The success of the rocket is crucial for India as it would be the first step towards building rockets.

India launched its first rocket to Mars on November 05, 2013 aiming to put a satellite in orbit around the red planet at a lower cost than previous missions and potentially positioning the emerging Asian nation as a budget player in the global space race.

The Mars Orbiter Mission blasted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with the satellite scheduled to start orbiting Mars by September 2014.

The Mars Orbiter Mission plans to search for methane in the Martian atmosphere, the chemical strongly tied to life on Earth. Recent measurements made by NASA's rover, Curiosity, show only trace amounts of it on Mars.

India's mission will also study Martian surface features and mineral composition.

The relative prowess in space contrasts with poor results in developing fighter jets byIndia's state-run companies.

India's space programme began 50 years ago and developed rapidly after western powers imposed sanctions in response to a nuclear weapons test in 1974, spurring scientists to build advanced rocket technology. Five years ago, its Chandrayaan probe landed on the moon and found evidence of water.