Science & Tech
ISRO to launch four satellites in 2005: Nair
Press Trust of India
Bangalore, February 26, 2005
India will launch four satellites this year including two remote sensing satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on the Eastern coast.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair told reporters in Bangalore that Cartosat-1 remote sensing satellite, with a 2.5 metre resolution camera to undertake mapping applications, would be launched by this April.
The indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket will launch the Cartosat-1 into space, he said.
"The satellite has been integrated and final tests are being conducted. The launch vehicle is also under progress," Nair said.
India awaited a slot for the launch of INSAT-4A communication satellite from Arianespace, the European launch agency from port of Korou in French Guyana. "We hope to get the right slot by May and June," Nair said.
The 3,000 kg INSAT-4A will have 12 Ku band transponders for direct-to-home satellite TV applications and 12 C band communication transponders.
ISRO, Nair said, will also launch the Cartosat-2 remote sensing satellite, an advanced satellite with a single panchromatic camera capable of providing scene specific imageries for cartographic applications.
"The satellite will have a one-metre resolution camera and a swath of 10 km," officials said.
Nair said the INSAT-4C communication satellite with 18-ku band transponders dedicated to DTH applications, will be launched this year.
© HT Media Ltd. 2004.