Preparations on for PSLV-C16/ RESOURCESAT-2 Launch on Apr 20

BANGALORE: Preparations for the launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle ( PSLV-C16) carrying three satellites, including RESOURCESAT-2, are progressing well at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 120 km from Chennai.

Besides RESOURCESAT-2, PSLV-C16 will also launch YOUTHSAT and X-SAT satellites.

The Launch Authorisation Board scheduled to meet on April 16, will review the readiness of the launch vehicle, satellites and ground stations and authorise the launch of PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2 Mission.

The countdown is expected to begin in the early hours of April 18 and the launch of PSLV-C16 is tentatively scheduled on April 20 at 1012 Hrs (IST), an ISRO release said.

RESOURCESAT-2 built by ISRO - the primary satellite is an advanced remote sensing satellite weighing 1206 kg for facilitating the study and management of natural resources, the release said.

YOUTHSAT, weighing 92 kg, is a joint Indo-Russian satellite for stellar and atmospheric studies.

X-SAT, weighing 105 kg, is a microsatellite for imaging applications built by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

Integration of all the three satellites to the launcher has been successfully accomplished.After successful completion of final phase of vehicle checkout operations,pre-launch and launch rehearsal procedures will be carried out.