Indian space program closes out year with launch of upgraded GSLV

An upgraded Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle carrying more fuel and standing taller than earlier GSLV variants took off Wednesday from an Indian spaceport and delivered a new communications satellite to orbit for the Indian Air Force. The GSLV Mk.2 rocket fired into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Center with nearly 1.8 million pounds of thrust at 1040 GMT (5:40 a.m. EST; 4:10 p.m. Indian Standard Time), soaring into a clear afternoon sky at the spaceport, located on India’s southeastern coast just north of Chennai. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 19)