ASTROSAT to be launched in mid 2010

India's Astronomy satellite, which would facilitate the study of astrophysical objects ranging from nearby solar system elements to distant stars, is likely to be launched in mid 2010.

Scientists from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have completed the developmental phase of complex science payloads and have begun integrating them before delivery of the 1,650 kg satellite ASTROSAT.

"The big challenge was that of design of a satellite attitude control system that will enable accurate control of the pointing of the instruments towards a specific direction in the sky," scientists from TIFR said.

ASTROSAT project is a collaborative effort of a number of research institutions, including the Mumbai based TIFR. The challenges in the design of payloads and Attitude Control System have been overcome and in a recent review committee meeting, it was decided that the delivery of the payload to ISRO satellite Centre will begin from the middle of this year and continue till early next year to enable the launch of ASTROSAT in 2010 using ISRO workhorse PSLV.

The Astrosat will be in an equatorial orbit with inclination of about 8 degrees or less. Two star trackers and gyros will be used for the pointing control of the satellite.