India expects to launch heavy sats in "

(Report via NewsEdge) India expects to launch heavy satellites and become totally self-reliant in launch-vehicle technology by 2009, according to a report from India Business Insight distributed by The Financial Times.

The report says the GSLV Mark III launch vehicle that is planned for 2009 will enable the country to launch its INSAT-4 satellite series from its own soil. The heavy cryogenic engine that will be used in such a launch vehicle has already undergone short-duration stage testing and will be subjected to a long-duration test soon.

The report also says the Indian Space Research Organization has completed wind-tunnel tests, updated the vehicle configuration and is set to establish the propellant plant assembly and integration of the vehicle.

© 2007 Dialog, a Thomson business. All rights reserved.