India's astronomy satellite - ASTROSAT - is expected to be launched in mid-2010. The new satellite is being developed to facilitate the study of astrophysical objects. Report confirms that the development phase of the satellite has been completed by the scientists of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Commenting on the work progress of 1,650 kg satellite, TIFR scientists stated that designing an attitude control system is one of the biggest challenges.

 

The satellite attitude control system enables accurate control of the pointing of the instruments towards a specific direction in the sky, informed the scientists. In addition to Mumbai-based TIFR, a number of other research institutes have been contributing towards the development of ASTROSAT project. The scientists of TIFR have almost finished the development of payloads and attitude control system.

 

According to the scientists, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite centre will be provided with the accomplished payloads by the middle of this year. The delivery of equipments to ISRO will continue till early next year. The 1,650 kg satellite will be orbited by using ISRO workhorse PSLV. The installation of ASTROSAT in the space will largely benefit the research on astrophysical objects like nearby solar system elements and distant stars.