The countdown for the launch of India''s Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket from Sriharikota, which will carry the INSAT-4CR communication satellite, started on 31 August in the afternoon.

The 49-metre tall rocket is scheduled for launch at 1621 hrs from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. (See: Rocket avionics designed by Indian Space Research Organisation to guide next to next GSLV)

The GSLV-F04, the fifth in the GSLV series, will put INSAT-4CR into a geosynchronous transfer orbit of 170 km perigee and 35,975 km apogee with an orbital inclination of 21.7 degrees, about 16 minutes and 40 seconds after lift off.

The satellite will carry 12 high-powered KU-band transponders for direct-to-home (DTH) television services, video picture transmission and digital satellite news gathering. A few days after its launch, the satellite will be manoeuvred into a geostationary orbit using its own propulsion system.

The launch vehicle''s configuration is identical to that of GSLV F02 that failed in July 2006 owing to manufacturing error. Therefore, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists are making every effort to ensure that this rocket does not meet the same fate of its predecessor, the GSLV-F02.

Launched in July 2006, it had strayed away from its path, forcing scientists to destroy it just 56 seconds after take off. (See: ISRO forced to destroy GSLV in mid air)