The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV- D3) that will be fitted with the indigenously developed cryogenic engine for the first time.

If the launch is successful India will join the five countries to have developed engines for satellite launch vehicles. The only countries to have developed such an engine on their own are US, France, Japan, Russia and China.

The launch of involving a heavy communications satellite is scheduled for 15 April from Sriharikota in eastern India.

The benefits of the successful launch will be that ISRO will be self reliant as until now it was using Russian-made cryogenic engines for launching its vehicles and secondly the agency will become a serious contender in the multibillion dollars satellite launch market.

ISRO has tested the engine for the full flight duration of 720 seconds at its test facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

"An indigenous cryogenic engine will power the GSLV for the first time. This is the maiden flight of a launch vehicle and it will give capability to the country of mastering advanced launch vehicle technology which very few countries have at present," said a ISRO spokesperson.

ISRO started developing the cryogenic engine development programme in 1996 as the country was under a technology sanctions during that time. The US has asked Russia not to sell the engine to India.