New Delhi, Dhu-AlHijjah 06, 1437, September 08, 2016, SPA -- A crucial test of new cryogenic rocket technology, which is expected to launch a moon mission in 2017, will begin Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said, according to dpa. The latest version of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F05) rocket is scheduled to lift off from a space centre at Sriharikota in southern India at 14:10 (10:40 GMT), ISRO spokesman D P Karnik said. The rocket is powered by a cryogenic engine which is designed to use liquid fuels that have to be kept at low temperatures to prevent them from turning into gas. Indian scientists have been developing the technology for over two decades. Thursday's launch is significant as it will be the first operational test of the cryogenic engine developed by the ISRO, Karnik said. The GSLV weighs 415 tons and is 49 metres high, and has failed five out of ten previous tests. "But we are confident now," Karnik said. It will be launching an advanced weather satellite, weighing 2,211 kilograms, into a geo-synchronous orbit at over 36,000 kilometres above earth. The rocket is capable of carrying heavier satellites than its predecessor, the time-tested Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which completed more than 100 successful missions. A successful GSLV launch would boost India's efforts to make inroads into the multi-million dollar commercial satellite launch market. The ISRO is known for producing rockets and carrying out missions at low costs. --SPA 11:53 LOCAL TIME 08:53 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w