Preparations for the launch of EDUSAT by India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F01) are proceeding satisfactorily at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. As per the present progress, the launch is expected to take place at 4:01 pm on Monday, September 20, 2004.

Integration of GSLV-F01 on the launch pad commenced on July 7, 2004. All launch vehicle systems have been integrated and checked out successfully. EDUSAT, the first exclusive satellite for educational services, was transported to SDSC SHAR in the first week of August 2004 and, since then, it has undergone all checks. After propellant filling operations, the spacecraft has been encapsulated and integrated with GSLV.

In the next few days, a complete checkout of the fully integrated launch vehicle along with satellite will be carried out. The launch rehearsal is planned on September 16, 2004 and the final countdown is expected to begin in the early hours of September 19, 2004.

The Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, today visited SDSC SHAR and had a view of the fully integrated vehicle. Mr G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO briefed the Minister on the preparations for the launch.