Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached yet another milestone by indigenously developing cryogenic engine that propels satellite launch vehicles into space.

The engine is deployed for the first time for the launching the GSLV-D3 later this month and if the launch is successful then 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 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.

If the mission is successful the country will become self reliant in all aspects of a satellite launch. It will also boost the confident of the Indian space scientists and engineers who have set a target of 10 satellites per year to meet the global demand for launches.

The next big launch for the agency will be PSLV-C15 carrying Cartosat-2B later this year. ISRO is also planning to launch Resourcesat-2, Risat-1 and Mega-Tropiques this year in the areas of remote sensing and GSAT-5 and GSAT-6 from Sriharikota and GSAT-8P onboard the Ariane launch vehicle from Korou in French Guayana in the communication area.