Post date: Jan 05, 2014 12:15:48 PM
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) from Sriharikota in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
SRIHARIKOTA, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (JANUARY 05, 2013) - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) from Sriharikota in southern state of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday (January 05).
Its success is crucial for India as it would be the first step towards building rockets.After facing numerous setbacks, ISRO launched the GSLV-D5 at 4.30 (IST).
This would be the first mission of the GSLV after two such rocket launches failed in 2010.
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.
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.
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.