SAARC satellite's configuration to be finalised soon: ISRO

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), March 28 (IANS) The configuration of SAARC satellite will be finalised soon and it launched within 18 month, said the Indian space agency chief on Saturday.

"The configuration of the SAARC satellite will be soon decided. Then within 18 months, the satellite would be launched," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman A.S.Kiran Kumar told reporters here after the successful launch of India's fourth navigation satellite.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mooted the idea of a satellite serving the needs of SAARC members.

Kiran Kumar said ISRO has a busy year ahead with several satellite launches slated.

He said ISRO will be launching a British satellite for a fee; two more Indian navigation satellites; a GSAT series communication satellite using an Indian rocket; and a heavier communication satellite using Arianespace rocket.

India will also launch a technology demonstrator for reusable launch vehicle this year.

According to Kiran Kumar, in couple of weeks time the tests on reusable launch vehicle will be over and in three months time, ISRO will be able to launch the same.

Queried about the data received from the methane sensors in India's Mars Orbiter, he said: "To conclude what the methane sensors have seen takes time."

On the question of third rocket launch pad, M.Y.S.Prasad, director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre said: "The construction would take around five years time. A study report has been submitted and the government has to take a decision after reviewing the report."