India launched its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for the first time on 18 April. The launcher carried a 1,540kg (3,400lb) experimental communications satellite GSAT-1.
The launch from Sriharikota, about 60 miles (100km) north of Chennai, came three weeks after a previous attempt was aborted because of a loss of thrust in one of the launcher's four Vikas-powered liquid propellant strap-on stages.
GSLV has been developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Source: Flight International