Bangalore: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)-built Insat-3A is planned to be launched anytime during the week beginning February 28, giving a boost to communication and meteorological services, a top ISRO official said.

"The launch window will be open for a week from February 28", director of ISRO satellite centre and space commission member Dr P S Goel said.

Goel said Insat-3A has transponders in 'C', 'extended C' and 'KU bands' and would have applications in the communication and meteorology space. The spacecraft also has a transponder for search and rescue, among other features, he said.

Insat-3A would be lofted into space by European space consortium Arianespace from Kourou in French Guyana.

Arianespace officials said Insat-3A, a hybrid satellite, would weigh slightly over 2,000 kg at lift-off.

Meanwhile, ISRO officials said Insat-3A launch would be immediately followed up with the second development flight of geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-d2) from the spaceport of Sriharikota by March end or early April.

Officials said d2 would carry a larger payload of 1,800 kg compared to 1,540 kg carried by the first development flight in April last year besides having improved thrust in all the three stages.

D2 is extremely significant, since ISRO has indicated that two successful development flights in sequence would pave the way for GSLV, the most technologically challenging mission undertaken under the Indian space programme to date, to be declared as operational.

The operationalisation of GSLV would herald a significant milestone towards the establishment of indigenous capability for launching communication satellites such as Insat from india itself.

PTI