Rocket failed after 45 seconds, says ISRO

SRIHARIKOTA - The rocket carrying an Indian communication satellite launched from here Saturday began failing after some 45 seconds, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

The controllability was lost after 45 seconds after the lift-off. The control commands to the four strap on motors of the first stage did not reach, ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters.

He said the first stage performed well till 50 seconds, and after that the rocket started failing.

According to him, the destruct command was issued 63 seconds after the lift off by the Range Safety Officer.

The 2,310 kg GSAT-5P satellite, costing about Rs.125 crore, was to serve the needs of the telecommunication sector and the weather department.

It was also to retire the INSAT-2E satellite, sent up in 1999.