India’s first science satellite ASTROSAT is set to be launched next year, former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr. Madhavan Nair said on Saturday. The multi-wavelength astronomy mission ASTROSAT on an Indian remote sensing satellite-class satellite in a 650-km, near-equatorial orbit will be launched next year, he said adding that it will be launched by the Indian launch vehicle PSLV from the Sriharikota launch pad. The expected operating life time of the satellite will be five years.
He made these remarks while addressing scientists from India and abroad and the student community at the Grand Finale function of Bhabha Centenary celebrations which concluded on Saturday. ISRO is also planning a Mars mission using geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) for launching the Mars mission for which the union government had also sanctioned a seed capital of Rs 10 crore to study the necessary details pertaining to the proposed mission.
The Indian government is giving special thrust to its space program. The total funds allocation for ISRO in 2009-10 fiscal is Rs.4,959 crore (About US$1billion), up from Rs.3, 499 crore, which is an increase of around 41 percent. Meanwhile, Nair has also said that the Indian Science Congress (ISC) and University of Kerala will organise the 97th ISC between 3-7 January next year at Thiruvananthapuram. The theme of the congress will be Science and Technology Challenges of 21st Century – National Perspective.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to inaugurate the five day event, which is likely to be attended by over 7,000 people, which includes scientist from India and abroad.
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