Bangalore: The launch of India's multipurpose satellite INSAT-3A by European Space Agency's Ariane-5 rocket was postponed early on April 9 following a "less than nominal signal strength from one of the telemetry transmitters", Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

The anomaly could not be resolved before the close of launch window and it was called off for the day, an ISRO announcement said.

The launch was due to take place between 4:19 am (IST) and 5:00 am (IST) from the European Space Agency centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

The revised date of the launch would be announced soon, ISRO said.

According to an Arianespace announcement, the lift-off of Arianespace flight-160 was delayed after one of the mission's two clients (ISRO) requested additional verifications on its satellite payload.

The Ariane-5G launcher and its dual payload – INSAT-3A and Galaxy XII for the US telecom operator PanAmsat – are in a "safe mode" on the launch pad, it said.

Arianespace was notified of the client's need for additional satellite verifications prior to the start-up of fuelling activity with Ariane-5's cryogenic core stage, the announcement of the European Space Agency said.

As a result, it said, the countdown activity was stopped before any of the stage's liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen propellant had been loaded.

A spokesman of the Bangalore-headquartered space agency said a top ISRO team in Kourou was analysing the problem.

PTI