An Indian Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle carrying the communication satellite GSAT- 5P explodes mid-air, moments after it took off from Satish Dhawan space centre in Sriharikota,Dec 25, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

NEW DELHI - India's launch of its latest communication satellite failed Saturday afternoon after the rocket GSLV-F06 carrying it developed a technical snag soon after its take-off from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota, sources said.

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"The rocket geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) carrying communication satellite GSAT-5P exploded mid-air just moments after it took off from the Sriharikota rocket launch center. The launch at 16:00 pm failed due to the technical fault in the first phase," the sources said.

The satellite GSAT-5P, powered by Russian engine, was expected to serve the needs of the telecommunication sector and the weather department and would have eventually replaced the INSAT-2E satellite that was sent up in 1999.

The GSAT-5P is a satellite with 36 transponders which can be used for beaming television and radio programs and telephonic conversations, for conducting telemedicine and tele-education programs and organizing banking services.

This is the second failure this year, after a GSLV mission rocket plunged into the Bay of Bengal on April 15.

An Indian Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle blasts off carrying the communication satellite GSAT- 5P from the Satish Dhawan space centre in Sriharikota,Dec 25, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]