Chennai: The second developmental flight of India's prestigious Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D2) is all set for launch at 4.58 pm (IST) on May 8 afternoon, with the final countdown progressing "perfectly as per schedule", Indian Satellite Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

"The final countdown, which started at 1.58 am IST (T minus 39 hrs) on May 7 is progressing smoothly and the launch is expected to take place at 4.58 pm (IST) itself if everything goes well during the remaining duration of the countdown," an ISRO spokesman said from the spaceport of the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, about 100 kms from Chennai, from where GSLV-D2 will lift off.

The vehicle in its full configuration is ready at the launch pad and fuelling of the various stages including the crucial cryogenic upper stage will take place between T minus 6 and T minus 4 hours of the countdown, the spokesman said.

"We hope to launch the vehicle at the first opportunity (4.58 pm) itself provided there are no hold ons" the spokesman said, adding that however the launch window is open up to 5.43 pm (IST).

GSLV-D2 is carrying 1,800 Kg GSAT-2, a technology experiment satellite, which will be injected into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, about 17 minutes after lift off.

PTI