​ISRO To Launch French Remote Sensing Satellite SPOT 7 On June 26

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of its next rocket, PSLV C23, carrying a French remote sensing satellite SPOT 7, along with four others. The launch will be on June 26, from Sriharikota spaceport, a senior official said.

“As of now, we have scheduled the launch of PSLV C23 at 9.50 am on June 26. A 52-hour countdown has been planned, which would commence at 6 am on June 24,” the official said.

SPOT 7 is an Earth-observing satellite, similar to the Indian Remote Satellite System (IRSS). Four other satellites will also be launched on the same day.

ISRO will use the core-only edition of the PSLV to launch the satellites this time. The date and time of the launch also depends on the availability of VIPs, if any, witnessing the launch, the official added.

The commercial satellites will be integrated with the launch vehicle on June 16 and the heat shield check will be performed on June 18.

National space agency ISRO is known for its expertise in launching PSLVs with smaller payloads weighing up to 1,600 kg. It has earned a name in the space industry, attracting huge sums as foreign exchange.