ISRO to launch Indo-French satellite soon

The Indian Space Research Organisation plans to launch SARAL satellite using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C-20) from Sriharikota at 5.56 pm on February 25. HT reports.

India is set to embark on its first big space mission of 2013. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch SARAL satellite using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C-20) from Sriharikota at 5.56 pm on February 25.

According to ISRO sources, the main aim of the satellite is to study ocean currents and sea surface heights.

PSLV C -20 in its core alone configuration will launch 410kg Indo-French SARAL — (Satellite with ARgos and ALtika) satellite along with 6 more commercial payloads.

The launch is scheduled from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

“SARAL will be used for oceanographic studies. It consists of two payloads - ARGOS , the DATA collection system and ALTIKA, Ka band Altimeter for coastal altimetry with an expected mission life of 5 years,’ according to ISRO sources.