So it's Christmas time , and celebrations are in every corner . Not less in India , which being a secular country not only Christians but also other people join to celebrate the X-mas . So Candles and prayers may mark the day . But ISRO is planning to celebrate in quiet a different way- in the diwali style - by launching(a rocket) it's heaviest satellite to date ,GSAT - 5P  on board GSLV - F06  . 

Before, the launch of GSLV-F06 with GSAT-5P Satellite onboard, scheduled for December 20, 2010 has been postponed due to a minor leak in one of the valves of the Russian Cryogenic stage, observed during the pre-countdown checks.The 29-hours countdown sequence planned to commence at 1100 hrs on Dec 19th has not been authorized by the Launch Authorisation Board while reviewing the pre-countdown checks. And on 23rd December ISRO announced that the launch is scheduled on 25th December from Satish Dhawan Space Center (Sriharikota)

GSLV -F06

GSLV -F06 is the seventh mission of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle aimed to inject a 2310 Kg communication satellite GSAT - 5P in Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) .

 GSLV is a three stage vehicle GSLV is 49 m tall, with 414 t lift off weight. It has a maximum diameter of 3.4 m at the payload fairing. First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-ons. Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) is a cryo stage. The vehicle develops a lift off thrust of 6573 kn.

The first flight of GSLV took place from SHAR on April 18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1. It was followed by four more launches , GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003 (GSAT-2 1825 kg), GSLV-F01 on September 20, 2004 (EDUSAT 1950 kg), GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006, GSLV-F04 on September 2, 2007 (INSAT-4CR 2130 kg) and GSLV-D3 on April 15, 2010.

GSAT - 5P

GSAT - 5P is the fifth satellite to be launched in GSAT series to further augment the communication services provided by the INSAT series. The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system which are placed in Geo-stationary orbits is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in Asia-Pacific region. 

 Established in 1983 with commissioning of INSAT-1B, it initiated a major revolution in India’s communications sector and sustained the same later. INSAT space segment consists of 21 satellites out of which 9 are in service (INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, KALPANA-1, GSAT-2 and INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR)

  The system with a total of about 178 transponders in the C, Extended C and Ku-bands.provides services to telecommunications, television broadcasting, weather forecasting, disaster warning and Search and Rescue operations.