Chennai: Preparations for the flight of polar satellite launch vehicle-C5 (PSLV) are proceeding at good pace at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch window opens on 16 October 2003 onwards.

This time PSLV will sling the 1,360-kg Resourcesat/IRS-P6, an earth-observation satellite. It will provide continuity to IRS-1C and 1D and will enhance the service capabilities in the areas of agriculture, disaster management, land and water resources, with a better resolution imagery.

As per earlier plans, the Resourcesat was to have Hamsat as co-passenger. But some performance deviations were noted during the thermo-vacuum test. As the corrections could not be made within the time limit, Hamsat has to be left behind this time and will be accommodated on one of the subsequent flights of PSLV.