INSAT-4C's launch likely on Jul 10 from SHAR

Chennai, July 5: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F02), carrying state-of-the-art communication satellite INSAT-4C, is likely to be launched from Sriharikota at 1630 hrs on July 10.

Preparations for the launch, to take place from the Second Launch Pad commissioned in May 2005, were proceeding satisfactorily at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota, a PIB release here said.

The launch vehicle systems had been integrated and checked out.

INSAT-4C, the latest satellite of the INSAT series, was transported from ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, to SHAR in the first week of June 2006.

Since then, it had undergone detailed checks and after propellant filling, the spacecraft had been integrated with GSLV, the release said.

The Mission Readiness Review had been planned for tomorrow, followed by the meeting of Launch Authorisation Board, which would clear the launch.

In the next few days, a complete checkout of the fully integrated launch vehicle, along with satellite, would be carried out, it added.

The final countdown and fuel filling for the liquid propellant stages were expected to commence in the morning of July 9.

UNI