In a setback to India's space programme, GSLV D-3, the satellite launch vehicle showcasing its indigenous cryogenic technology, trailed off its designated course and went out of control shortly after lift-off from the spaceport on Thursday. The rocket, along with its two payloads -- satellites GSAT-4 and GAGAN -- crashed into the Bay of Bengal 293 seconds after launch.
The launch was key to India's space programme as it would have become the sixth nation to successfully deploy the cryogenic technology, joining US, Russia, Japan, China and France. The earlier five versions of the GSLV had Russia-supplied cryogenic engine. India's cryogenic upper stage (CUS) engine was meant to replace the Russian engines.
GSLV Rises, And Falls
4.27:00pm: GSLV-D3 soars into sky from Sriharikota spaceport at the end of 29-hr countdown
4.29:31: First stage separates
4.29:33: Stage two ignites
4.30:48: Heatshield separates
4.31:53: Isro loses contact with launch vehicle as it veers off course
4.32:04: Presumed ignition of cryogenic engine
What Went Wrong
* Failure still being analysed but possibly the two steering engines, which control the rocket's path, may not have ignited in the cryogenic stage
* ISRO chief not sure if main cryogenic engine ignited
Second Failure
* Out of six launches, this is the second time GSLV has failed
* This was first launch using indigenously made cryogenic engine.
