Article Posted on : - Jan 05, 2010

ISRO's satellite CARTOSAT-1. A file photo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (PTI): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Cartosat series 'Cartosat-2B' remote sensing satellite in March this year, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said here on Tuesday.

The testing of Cryogenic engine system for GSLV will also be held soon, Radhakrishnan said on the sidelines of the inauguration of 'IIST@Schools', an initiative of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology to introduce to schoolchildren, space activities and its social implications.

Inputs received through Cartosat are mainly used to plan development activities in rural and urban areas of the country.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, he said India has outlined a series of challenging and exciting space programmes, including Chandrayan-2 and man-mission to space.

"India is capable of sending a man to space and bringing him back with our GSLV technology," the ISRO chief said.

Other developed nations were planning to send men to Mars by 2030. "India's mission of sending a man to space is the first step to be with other nations in space technology," he said.

Radhakrishnan said ISRO now not only launches satellites for the country's use, but also satellites of other nations.

"Presently, ISRO is on the job of making 20 satellites for other countries," he said.

"India is one among the six nations that have developed indigenous space technology and also a model to the whole world on how space technology can be used for the development of a nation," Radhakrishnan said.

Speaking on the occasion, IIST Director B N Suresh said the institute, which has entered its third year of existence, was emerging as a world class centre for learning and reasoning.

The IIST campus, which is presently functioning at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre complex, will be shifted to its own premises at Velliyamala by March-April.

The Institution currently offers undergraduate (B Tech) programmes in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics and Physical Sciences, he said.