ISRO to launch Italian satellite, to look at galaxies
Special Correspondent
HYDERABAD:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman, G. Madhavan Nair, has said that the space agency's workhorse rocket, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), will launch Italian satellite, Agile, next month end. The satellite would look at galaxies and stars with the aid of X-ray detectors.
Talking to The Hindu here on Thursday, Mr. Nair said that Agile would give some idea about new star formations and related events. The mission would be fully paid by the Italians, making it the first commercial launch of a PSLV.
He also said India bagged the contract for carrying the Italian satellite for $11 million. ISRO had earlier launched small payloads of 50 to 100 kgs for foreign players as "piggyback." This was the first time that the agency would fly a 400 kg foreign satellite as a lone passenger.
The ISRO chairman added that the PSLV - C7, launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on January 10, was doing quite well in orbit.
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