ASTROSAT, the first fully dedicated Indian astronomical satellite to study heavenly objects will blast off from Sriharikota on September 28. It was announced by a high-ranking Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) official on Wednesday. The satellite will be carried aboard ISRO workhorse, the PSLV-C30 on September 28th at 10 AM IST.
In a statement given to PTI by Director, Public Relations, ISRO, Deviprasad Karnik, all the preparations concerned with the launch has been going on smoothly. The vehicle assembly is almost complete. The PSLVC-30 will carry the ASTROSAT along with six other foreign co-satellites.
These include one each from Indonesia and Canada and four nano satellites from the US. The satellites have already arrived, and last checks are being made before they will be integrated into the upper stage of the PSLVC-30 rocket. All the six foreign satellites are meant for maritime surveillance.
The ASTROSAT has been shifted to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota by a specially erected Satellite Transportation System on August 16.
ASTROSAT is capable of making an observation in the Ultra Violet, optical, low and high energy X-Rays wavebands at the same time. For this ASTROSAT will be carrying four X-ray payloads, one UV telescope, and a charge particle monitor.
ASTROSAT will be the first space observatory that will be operated by the Indian Space Research Organization. ISRO is joined by four other institutions in payload development. These includes:
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics
- Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Raman Research Institute — are involved in payload development.
Two of the payloads are made in collaboration with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and University of Leicester, UK.
After a mission to Mars, a mission to the moon, ISRO is planning for big things and is now having its dedicated satellite for Astronomical observation. ISRO is also planning to send a Rover to Moon in the coming years.
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