India satellite launch aborted

SRIHARIKOTA, India -- India has aborted the launch of a powerful rocket that would have put the country in a small club of nations capable of launching heavy satellites.

Live pictures on state television showed the satellite-carrying rocket engines igniting and then flames leaping up the side before the launch was called off due to "some problems."

The first test flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was scheduled at 3.47 p.m. (1017 GMT) from the space center in Sriharikota, north of Madras on the Bay of Bengal.

The GSLV was meant to put into orbit an experimental satellite that would have put India alongside the United States, Russia, Japan, China, and the European Space Agency which have significant satellite launch capabilities.

India has in the past relied on Europe's Arianespace to launch its big satellites.

Commercial aims

The 49-meter (161-foot) long GSLV has a lift-off weight of 401 tons and was to propel the experimental satellite, to be used to demonstrate audio broadcasts, internet services, and digital television.

The India Space Research Organisation had hoped the system would enable India to launch its own communications satellites and provide satellite launches as a profitable service.

More than 150 private and public companies have been involved in the making of the GSLV.

ISRO spokesman S. Krishnamurthy said the countdown began about 58 hours before the scheduled blast-off.

The launch process was supposed to last about 17 minutes.

Most components home-made

A key aspect of the rocket is the use of a Russian engine that uses liquid hydrogen as fuel stored in extremely low temperatures.

India had tried to import the technology to operate the engine from Russia but had been blocked by U.S. sanctions linked to India's nuclear weapon program. It eventually bought only the engine from Russia.

Most of the vehicle's hardware such as motor cases, heat shield, engine components, and electronic modules were made in India.

Two tests must be conducted for the GLSV to be declared operational.

India began studying and experimenting with imported rockets in 1963.

The GSLV marks a big jump from its predecessor, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which can place about 900 kg (1,980 lb) of payload in a north-south orbit.

The GSLV can eventually place loads of about 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), enabling India to launch heavy and powerful geostationary satellites such as those for communications.

India's nuclear weapons-capable rival Pakistan has no known space program.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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