PSLV-C5/IRS-P6 Launch Status October 8, 2003

The launch preparations of PSLV-C5/IRS-P6 (RESOURCESAT) mission are proceeding satisfactorily at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch vehicle integration has been completed. The satellite IRS-P6 is already at the launch base and is being readied for the launch. The launch window opens from October 16, 2003 onwards.

IRS-P6 (RESOURCESAT) is a 1360 Kg satellite and it will be a follow-on satellite for earth observation that will provide continuity to IRS-1C and 1D and will enhance the service capabilities in the areas of agriculture, disaster management, land and water resources with better resolution imagery.

Along with IRS-P6, a 40 kg microsat called HAMSAT was to be launched as an auxiliary payload utilizing the launch capacity of PSLV. However, during the thermo-vacuum test of HAMSAT, certain deviations in the performance of the HAM payload were observed. As the corrections on the payload could not be carried out in the limited time available to meet the launch window requirement of the primary payload IRS-P6, it was decided that PSLV-C5 mission would be launched without HAMSAT. After required corrections, HAMSAT will be accommodated on one of the subsequent flights of PSLV