Article Posted on : - Dec 23, 2010

A file photo.

BANGALORE (PTI): The launch of India's latest communication satellite GSAT-5P has now been slated for December 25, a week after it was put off following a leak in the Russian cryogenic stage of the launch vehicle.

"The launch is scheduled for December 25 at 4.01 pm (from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh). A 29-hour countdown will start on December 24 at 11.01 am (local time)," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spokesperson S Satish told PTI here.

The satellite will be launched by the ISRO's Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06), powered by Russian cryogenic stage.

The spacecraft, which would boost India's communication services including TV and telecommunication, was originally slated for launch on December 20.

But a day earlier, the space agency put off the launch due to a "minor leak" in one of the valves of the Russian Cryogenic stage, observed during the pre-countdown checks.

After the postponement, ISRO said the revised date would be finalised after ascertaining the cause of the leak, remedial actions and due verifications.

Earlier in the day, another ISRO official said on condition of anonymity that the "leak had remained the same and it had not increased which means it is a liveable leak and the mission had been given a go-ahead".