The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F06, carrying India's communication satellite GSAT-5P, disintegrates moments after lift-off from Sriharikota, near Chennai on Saturday. Photo: V. Ganesan
Debris from the exploded GSLV-F06 are seen in the sky over Sriharikota on Saturday. This is the second consecutive GSLV mission failure this year. Photo: V. Ganesan
The GSLV-F06 explodes into a ball of fire shortly after its launch from Sriharikota on Saturday. Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K. Radhakrishnan said the launch failed because control and command did not reach the activation system. Photo: V. Ganesan
White, reddish-orange and dark-grey smoke and debris fill the sky over Sriharikota as the GSLV-F06 exploded moments after its launch on Saturday. According to ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan the controllability of the launch vehicle was lost 47 seconds after lift-off. Photo: V. Ganesan
The GSLV-F06 ascended into the sky majestically, giving no hint of the disaster that awaited it. As it was climbing into the sky, the rocket lost it trajectory and exploded. Flaming debris from the rocket came down in a shower over the Bay of Bengal. Photo: V. Ganesan
Fire, smoke and debris from the exploding GSLV-F06 fill the sky over Sriharikota on Saturday. Photo: V. Ganesan
In a setback to the ISRO's space programme, the GSLV-F06 mission, to place the state-of-the-art Rs.125-crore communication satellite, GSAT-5P, went up in smoke at Sriharikota on Saturday. Photo: V. Ganesan