India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO

Bangalore, Sept 16 (PTI) Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which
would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal
zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have
European flavour.

The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota
spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch
are in full swing.

"Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at
around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of
Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, told PTI.

ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM
(IST) on that day.

The satellite is intended for identification of potential
fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and
providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.

It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by
ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological
aspects of oceanography.

"Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of
service) was widely used by fishermen," ISRO Chairman G
Madhavan Nair said.

Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly
looking forward for the missions success as a set of six
European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany
Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit. (MORE) PTI