MUMBAI: The launch of India's next generation multipurpose Insat 3A satellite aboard Arianespace's Flight 160 has been delayed.

According to Arianespace, the delay is a fallout of one of the mission's two clients requesting additional verifications on its satellite payload. The Insat 3A satellite was scheduled to be launched in the early hours today morning (Indian time) on board the European launcher Ariane 5 along with with Panamsat's Galaxy XII from Kourou in French Guiana.

 
The Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) mainly telecom and broadcasting satellite Insat 3A contains weather and search and rescue payloads. Panamsat's 1,760 kg.-payload was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

The Ariane 5G launcher and its dual payload are in a safe mode on the launch pad. Arianespace has stated that it was notified of the client's need for additional satellite verifications prior to the startup of fueling activity with the Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage. As a result, the countdown activity was stopped before any of the stage's liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen propellant had been loaded.

Watch this space for further details on the launch.