India has successfully launched a test satellite into space using its new rocket, almost three weeks after the first attempt was aborted. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) placed a 1.54-tonne satellite into orbit on April 18.
The launch signals India鈥檚 entry into commercial satellite launching, currently only offered by the US, Russia, China, Japan and the European Consortium Arianespace. In the past, India has used Arianespace to launch its heavy satellites.
India could also use the new rocket to test missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, say military analysts. India carried out nuclear tests in 1998, quickly followed by Pakistan.
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The first GSLV test, set for 28 March, was aborted when booster rockets failed to deliver sufficient thrust. But the second attempt produced a 鈥渢extbook flight鈥�, says an Indian Space Research Organisation official.
ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan said: 鈥淚t was the longest 17 minutes in our life. It was also the most exciting and wonderful 17 minutes in our life.鈥� ISRO had invested 10 years and 14 billion rupees ($305 million) in developing the rocket.
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