This is the 23rd mission for India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - a seven-storey-high, 230 tonne rocket.

BBC: India launches seven satellites

Strand-1 is booked to fly on the Indian space agency's (Isro) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on 25 February.

BBC: Strand-1 'phone-sat' ready for orbit

The 1, 008kg satellite was launched from a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

BBC: India's spy satellite boost

On August 18, Russia lost a sophisticated Express-AM4 telecommunications satellite when the launch vehicle put it into the wrong orbit.

CNN: Russia postpones new manned space station mission

Although this vehicle currently dominates the commercial satellite launch market, it is facing increased competition, especially from the US, where a new rocket developed by the Californian SpaceX company is undercutting Ariane sharply on price.

BBC: Ministers to define Europe's goals in space