spacetoday.net: GSLV launch postponed

Posted: Sun, Dec 19, 2010, 10:15 AM ET (1515 GMT)
GSLV prior to launch of GSAT-2 (ISRO)

The Indian space agency ISRO announced Sunday it had postponed Monday's launch of its GSLV rocket because of a leak in the rocket's upper stage. According to ISRO, a "minor" leak in a valve in the rocket's upper stage was noticed during pre-launch checks, forcing the delay. No new date for the launch has been set as engineers first work to identify the cause of the leak and correct it. The launch will be the first for India's GSLV since an April launch failed because of a problem with the rocket's indigenously cryogenic upper stage. This GSLV, as with GSLVs prior to the April launch, uses a Russian cryogenic upper stage. The GSLV is carrying the GSAT-5P communications satellite, which will provide TV and other communications services using a payload of C-band transponders.