ISRO Schedules New Launch Date for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

[Satellite TODAY 07-06-10] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV C-15 July 12 from the Sriharikota Space Center, ISRO announced July 5.
    The PSLV C-15 will launch as many as five satellites into space, including Indian satellite Cartosat-2B, Alsat from Algeria, a nanosatellite from Canada, a Swiss nanosatellite and the Studsat satellite, developed by Andhra Pradesh engineering students. The Cartosat-2B imagery satellite will be used by India for detailed mapping and urban planning applications.
    The rocket originally was scheduled to be launched May 9 but was delayed due to technical problems. ISRO has been hindered by a series of launch delays and failures due to technical problems. On April 15, ISRO’s GSLV-D3 rocket carrying the GSAT-4 communications satellite failed due to a third-stage engine malfunction that resulted in total loss of control of the spacecraft. In August, ISRO’s $82 million unmanned Chandrayaan-1 mission ended after ISRO lost contact with the spacecraft.