Preparations are in the final stages for the launch of India's heaviest communications satellite INSAT 4C on Monday. The satellite weighing 2.2 tons would take off from the space centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. It will blast off atop the indigenously developed geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) at 4.30 pm (IST).
Until now INSAT satellites were launched from Kourou in French Guyana onboard Ariane rockets.
A successful launch would mean that India can hope to corner a large chunk of the global $2 billion market for satellite launches. Launches from India are cheaper by up to 35 per cent compared to other countries.
Antrix, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation recently tied-up with EUTELSAT to manufacture a satellite for France. Three more satellites including one built by Indonesia are due for launch in the near future.
In 2008, Indian Space Research Organisation plans to send an unmanned to mission to the moon - known as Chandrayaan. |