India's first dedicated space observatory Astrosat to be launched today

Country's first dedicated satellite for astronomical research, Astrosat, will be launched today from here at 10 a.m.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C30 will carry it into a low earth equatorial orbit after its take-off from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, along with six small satellites of international customers.

PSLV will fly in its extended configuration this time, keeping in view the total payload weight of 1631 kg. The Astrosat has the ability to observe celestial bodies like distant stars and cosmic X-Ray sources in different wavelengths simultaneously.

The scientists of the Indian Space Research Organization ISRO are giving the launch vehicle PSLV-C30 final touches for its 31st flight tomorrow.

Along with Astrosat, four identical nano-satellites of Spire Global Inc., the US, a micro-satellite from Indonesia and a nano-satellite of the University of Toronto, Canada are also set to take off.

Within 22 minutes 33 seconds of ignition of the PSLV, it would lob Astrosat in its 650 km orbit, followed by the smaller payloads. The science research mission Astrosat with five years of intended operational life would serve as a space observatory.