The Insat 2E, Its most sophisticated telecommunications satellite, will be launched tentatively by March-end. The satellite, built indigenously by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) here, will be taken to space by the European-built Arianne launcher from Kourou in French Guyana.

In April, ISRO will launch its first full-fledged satellite -- Oceansat IRS -- P4 which will be used for oceanographic applications. The IRS -- P4 will be launched by the indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The IRS-P4 will also help the country's defence and strategic system. The latest addition to the Indian Satellite System, Insat-2E has an edge over all other satellites in that its power levels are much higher. Its 17 transponders are capable of covering a wider area, stretching from Central Europe, to East Asia and even Australia. This means that anyone in these countriescan access Indian television channels.

The success of the Rs 200 crore Insat-2E is crucial for India especially because it comes after the Insat-2D disaster. Insat-2D, on 4th June, 1997 failed -- just four months after its launch because of a `power bus' short circuit. The `solar array' which converts sunlight into electricity to supply to the satellite's sub stations had failed, it was stated.

India then purchased the Arabsat, a satellite of the consortium of Arab countries, which was already in the orbit. Arabsat was renamed Insat-2DT. Though Arabsat had 25 transponders, the highest among the Insat series, it is only a communication satellite, and does not help weather forecasting.

The 2.5 tonne Insat-2E is built to last longer; As many as 12 years, unlike the 9-year longevity of Insat-2C and Insat-2DT.

A Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR), and Charge Couple Device (a device for close imaging), will help get accurate cloud picture and by extension, weather forecasting.