RISAT-1 to be launched anytime from March 15

Indigenously developed remote sensing satellite RISAT-1, which can take images of the Earth in all weather conditions, would be launched by space agency ISRO anytime from March 15.

The 1850 kg RISAT-1, earlier slated for launch last year onboard PSLV-C19, would be a major milestone for the country and a boon for regions perennially under cloud cover.

"The launch of microwave remote sensing RISAT-1 is slated anytime from March 15," ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters on the sidelines of an event here organised by the Indian Institute of Science.

Besides use in the agriculture sector, the satellite's all weather capability to take images of the Earth could also be used to keep an eye on the country's borders round-the-clock and to help in anti-terrorist and anti-infiltration operations, he said.

The ground testing for GSLV-Mk III, which can lift four tonne spacecraft, was on and its launch would be finalised by May or June this year, Radhakrishnan said.

On the other future launches, he said communication satellites GSAT-10 and GSAT-7 were scheduled for launch this year.

GSAT-14 onboard indigenously developed Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) was also scheduled for launch this year, the ISRO chief said, adding the agency planned for the launch of first regional navigation satellite system in 2012.

Karnataka Knowledge Commission Chairman and renowned space scientist Dr K Kasturirangan, in his speech at the event, stressed the need for state governments to take the geographic information (GI) system to district and panchayat levels to improve the process of decision-making.