Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today congratulated all scientists and technicians associated with the launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F04, that placed the latest communication satellite, INSAT-4CR into its orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
In his message, Singh said: "I am happy to learn that the fifth launch of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F04, has successfully placed the latest communication satellite, INSAT-4CR in orbit."
"The spectacular launch of the GSLV-F04 has been witnessed by the whole nation. The nation is justly proud of the scientific and technological capabilities of our space scientists," he added.
He further said: "With this launch we have reaffirmed our capabilities to not only build state-of-the-art communication satellites, but also to launch them using an indigenously designed and developed launch vehicle."
He expressed his pleasure that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) overcame the problems faced in the July 2006 mission within a short time.
"I am happy that ISRO has been able to overcome the problem faced in the last mission within the shortest possible time," Singh said.
The INSAT 4CR has replaced an identical satellite, INSAT-4C, which had to be destroyed 56 seconds after lift-off due to the failure of GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006. The ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, built INSAT-4CR within one year.
Singh wished the scientists a greater successes in the future.
The launch of GSLV-F04 was stopped seconds before its planned lift off at 16:21 hours (IST) on Sunday due to a glitch in the launch parameter.
The GSLV-F04 successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in Sriharikota at 1820 hours (IST), two hours after its planned schedule.
There were communication errors between the cryogenic engine and onboard computer that led to rescheduling of the launch.
The INSAT-4CR will be used for Direct-To-Home television service and video picture transmission.
The INSAT-4CR, placed into the geo-synchronous transfer orbit (GTO), is equipped with 12 high power Ku-band transponders, and weighs 2,130 kilograms. It will also serve users of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) or business communications.
The 49-metre-high launch vehicle weighs 414 tonnes and the first of the three- stage vehicle consists of a core motor powered by solid propellants.
The second stage comes alive with liquid propellants, and cryogenic fluids - liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen - provide the thrust to the third uppermost stage.