GSLV-D3 to blast off on April 15

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the GSLV-D3, its new Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle with indigenously developed cryogenic engine on April 15.

The rocket is 49 meters tall and weighs 419 tonnes. The rocket will carry communication satellite GSAT-4 and others weighing more than two tonnes.

This is the first time India would be using indigenously built cryogenic stage and technology, which is crucial to put communication satellites weighing more than two tonnes in GTO.

The indigenous technology has come to fruition nearly 19 years after India was denied the cryogenic technology.

"Why this is important as compared to the earlier missions of PSLV or GSLV is that we are testing in flight the indigenous cryogenic engine and stage," said S. Satish, a space scientist.

India earlier made effort to acquire cryogenic propellant technology from Russia in 1992 but the plan didn''t bear fruit because of fierce opposition from big powers.

With this development, India will join the US, Russia, France and Europe, Japan and China in possessing the complex cryogenic technology.