PTI

Hyderabad, Jun 20: G Madhavan Nair Chairman, ISRO and Secretary Department of Space on Thursday said that the Chandrayan-1 mision is likely to be launched in September. However, the final date is yet to be finalised, he added.

Madhavan Nair who was in Hyderabad to deliver the National Technology day lecture on "Indian space programme- future perspectives" organized by the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences held at NGRI said that ISRO is preparing for several launches next year.

He said that there will be four to five major launches including the launch of Indo-French joint mission of 'Megha Tropiques' (satellites relating to atmosphere physics metrology).

In addition, a radar imaging satellite called Risat, astronomy satellite, Astrosat besides two commercial launches are on the anvil, said Madhavan Nair, who was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the lecture, adding that India wants to maintain its leadership in earth observation communication and navigation satellites in future.

Replying to queries from reporters regarding an arrest of Indian it person for leaking USA-based secret information to India, in which ISRO was also named, Madhavan Nair refused to comment on the same.