TIRUPATI: The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair, has conceded that though the countdown for the scheduled launch of the PSLV-C6 from Sriharikota started at 5.45 a.m. on Tuesday, gusty winds and thunder-storms currently ripping through parts of Andhra Pradesh have put a cloud over the launch scheduled for May 5 at 10.19 a.m.

"We are afraid that the thunder-storms might have an impact on the scheduled launch," he said but, however, struck a note of optimism that the weather phenomenon might not persist.

Mr. Nair was interacting with media persons in Tirupati on Tuesday after worshipping Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala. Sources said the ISRO team led by Mr. Nair placed the prototype of the PSLV-C6 at the feet of the deity and offered prayers for the successful launch of the spacecraft from the newly fabricated second launch pad of Sriharikota. The Director of the spaceport, K. Narayana, the Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Sundararamaiah, and the Director of the National MST Radar Facility, Tirupati, D. Narayana Rao, were present.

The PSLV-C6 will inject CARTOSAT-1 into orbit. It will beam back three-dimensional imageries of valleys, hills, river-beds and other features required for cartographic purposes such as town planning.

Other launches

As for the other major launch on the cards this year, the ISRO chief said INSAT-4A, a heavy 3,800 kg satellite was likely to be launched in July or August from Kourou in French Guyana. He also referred to the PSLV launch scheduled for March 2006 for which preparations were under way while the spacecraft design had been completed.

The other launches ahead of the ISRO in the next few years were the ASTROSAT due in 2007 and the CARTOSAT-II. Mr. Nair said AGILE, the Italian-made spacecraft for use of an European space agency, would be launched from SHAR in 2006.

ISRO's Remotesat put into orbit in 2003 had successfully mapped the entire country and the vital data supplied by it was being provided to various user-agencies.

Mr. Nair pointed out that as a follow-up a national database would be created for use by various government agencies.

On "Chandrayan", India's first Moon Mission, the ISRO Chairman said preparations were apace for the launch in 2007.

A budget outlay of Rs. 380 crores had been provided for the unique mission.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |