India probes loss of INSAT-4 TV satellite

NEW DELHI, July 10 (UPI) -- Indian space scientists Monday were investigating the loss of a telecom satellite in a major malfunction that occurred during the launch phase.

The INSAT-4 satellite was destroyed when the GSLV-F02 rocket went off course and exploded shortly after launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center.

"We have activated and analysed the data and we will get to the bottom of it," said G Madhavan Nair, chairman of the India Space Research Organization. "Today's happening is a setback, especially after we had 11 continuous successful launches."

The ISRO said it appeared the rocket experienced a problem in the separation of the booster stage from the launch vehicle.

INSAT-4 was billed as the largest communications satellite ever launched by India and was intended to provide home television services.

The mishap occurred a day after an Indian Agni III military missile missed its intended target during a test launch and crashed into the sea, Press Trust India reported.