Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, chief of Indian Space Reserch Organisation (ISRO), told reporters the launch of the vehicle was slated for Thursday.

"We have targeted the launch window opening on May 8 at 4.58 pmto 7.30 pm (1400 GMT) and subsequently we have windows on May 9 and 10 for 45 minutes starting around 6.45 pm to 7.30 pm," he said.

"The countdown will start on May 7 in the early morning."

The launch will take place in the state of Andhra Pradesh at the Sathish Dwawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

"The payload is the GSAT2 which is a 1,825 kilogram satellite. That is an improvement of 300 kilograms from the earlier satellite of the first developmental flight of GSLV (on April 2001)," Kasturirangan said.

"As of now the vehicle has been completely assembled at the launch pad and has been fully tested. Yesterday (Sunday) a full dress rehersal of the vehicle was carried out," Kasturirangan said.

The satellite team of ISRO, all the ground stations of the Master Control Facility in Karnataka state, of which Bangalore is the capital, including stations abroad such as in Canada and Beijing, participated in simulation exercises, he said.

India is eyeing the lucrative satellite launch vehicle market and successfully tested the polar satellite vehicle capable of launching a 1,000-1,200 kilogram (2,205-2,640 pound) unit in September last year.

SPACE.WIRE