Chennai: Capping a year of successful launches, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is all set to launch PSLV-C36 carrying remote sensing satellite RESOURCESAT-2A from the spaceport of Sriharikota on 7 December, the space agency said on Sunday. RESOURCESAT-2A is a remote sensing satellite developed by Isro and succeeds RESOURCESAT-1 and RESOURCESAT-2 launched in 2003 and 2011, respectively. Between 1994 and 2016, PSLV has successfully launched 121 satellites of which 79 are from overseas, the rest being Indian satellites, ISRO said. On 8 September, Isro launched advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR onboard GSLV-F05, tasting success on its maiden operational flight of its heavy-duty rocket fitted with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage. GSAT-18, India’s communication satellite, was launched on 6 October by a heavy-duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.

Source: Mint December 04, 2016 13:26 UTC