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India to launch GSLV and technology satellites next year

India will undertake a major technology leap next year with the first flight of the Geo Synchronous Launch Vehicle planned between February 16 and 27 and the Technology Experimental Satellite to be launched in mid-2001, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was informed Wednesday.

The prime minister reviewed the status and progress of major activities of the Department of Space, particularly the projects which are likely fructifying in the next one year.

Secreatry, Department of Space, Dr K Kasturirangan said for the maiden GSLV flight all the hardware required had reached Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

The Russian-supplied cryo stage has also been received and is being prepared for integration.

The assembly will begin by mid-November and the first flight of the GSLV will be carried between February 16 and 27.

For the launch by Ariane of the INSAT-3C, all major sub-systems have been realised and the integration is being taken up at the Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre in Bangalore. After the assembly and testing, the spacecraft is slated for shipment to Kourou, French Guyana in mid-2001.

All the developmental efforts for the complex sub-systems for the Technology Experimental Satellite -- satellite orientation, sensors and payloads -- have been successfully completed, Dr Kasturirangan told the prime minister.

The hardware realisation has begun and the spacecraft is planned to be launched on a Polar Synchronous Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota in mid-2001, an official release said.

The ISRO has also undertaken the development of a meteorological satellite. The hardware for this spacecraft is being developed and this spacecraft will be ready for launch by PSLV by end-2001.

For this purpose, the PSLV mission will be suitably modified for a geo-stationary transfer orbit delivery, to demonstrate the unique capability of the PSLV for both LEO and GEO launch services.

On Vajpayee's enquiries about the department's commercial activities, Dr Kasturirangan said there had been satisfactory progress particularly in obtaining launch services contracts from many customers in Europe and other regions.

The prime minister expressed keenness to meet the three Indian student scientists selected for the Mars Rover Mission.

UNI

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