In a setback to India's space programme, GSLV D-3, the satellite launch vehicle showcasing its indigenous cryogenic technology, trailed off its designated course and went out of control shortly after lift-off from the spaceport on Thursday. The rocket, along with its two payloads -- satellites GSAT-4 and GAGAN -- crashed into the Bay of Bengal 293 seconds after launch. The launch was key to India's space programme as it would have become the sixth nation to successfully deploy the cryogenic technology, joining US, Russia, Japan, China and France. The earlier five versions of the GSLV had Russia-supplied cryogenic engine. India's cryogenic upper stage (CUS) engine was meant to replace the Russian engines. It took scientists of the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) around 17 years to develop cryogenic motors after its bid to import the technology from Russia in 1992 failed because of opposition from the US. The project to develop the indigenous cryogenic engine was approved in 1993. The powerful boost er technology using supercooled liquid fuel is designed to put heavier satellites into high orbits, about 36,000 kilometres from earth. This was also the second time in six launches that a GSLV mission has failed.for further: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indigenous-engines-bring-down-GSLV/articleshow/58140
