Countdown begins for launch of GSAT-29,weather still holds key

Chennai: The 27-hour countdown began Tuesday for the launch of India's latest communication satellite GSAT-29 onboard the second developmental flight GSLV-MkII D2 from the spaceport of Sriharikota Wednesday evening, subject to weather conditions, the ISRO said.

Though cyclone "Gaja", earlier forecast to cross the coast between Chennai and Sriharikota, has changed course, the Indian Space Research Organisation said the launch slated for 5.08 pm was subject to the weather and it may go for postponement in case of non-conducive conditions.

GSAT-29 carries Ka and Ku band high throughput transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users, including in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The countdown has begun today 14:50 hrs for the launch of GSLVMkIII D2 carrying GSAT29 at Sriharikota (over 100 km from here). Launch scheduled at 17.08 IST on November 14", ISRO said. ISRO Chairman K Sivan said there might by a postponement if the weather was not conducive.

"But we are expecting that the launch will happen by tomorrow evening", he told reporters after offering prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, about 140 om from here, on the eve of the mission.

On November 11, the Met office had said Cyclone Gaja was likely to cross the North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on November 15.

However, the cyclone has changed course and as of Tuesday was expected to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban, well away from Sriharikota.

The ISRO chief said the Wednesday launch was one of the "very important missions and a milestone" for India's space programme.

"This is GSLV-MkIII-D2 second developmental flight. It is going to launch very important and high throughput satellite GSAT-29. The satellite will be useful in Jammu and Kashmir and North East region for providing connectivity under the Centre's Digital India programme", he said.

A successful launch would pave the way for producing very advanced satellite in future for ISRO, he said.