From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 5: India is set to launch an indigenous satellite with ''unique” capability of capturing images in all-weather conditions that will facilitate agriculture and disaster management.

The likely date for launch of the weather monitoring satellite is April 26 barring last minute changes, according Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

''This (Radar Imaging Satellite or RISAT-1) is about 1,850 kg. It will be heaviest satellite lifted by a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle),” ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said.

The RISAT 1 satellite most likely to be launched on April 26 at 5.45 am,” he said.

The development of the satellite took 10 years of efforts and will be yet another feather in the country’s space research capabilities.

The approved cost of RISAT-1, including its development, is Rs 378 crore, while Rs 120 crore has been spent to build the rocket (PSLV-C19), making it a Rs 498 crore mission.

After nearly 10 years of effort, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed - with a lot of participation from Indian industries - a microwave satellite that has the unique capability of imaging during day and night and in all weather conditions, ISRO explained.

India currently depends on images from a Canadian satellite as domestic remote sensing spacecraft cannot take pictures of the ground during cloud cover.