Bangalore: More than two years after the first test-flight of India's ambitious Geo- synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Indian space scientists are readying the second launch early next month, in a major milestone in making the Indian space programme self-reliant.

Sources in Bangalore-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on April 6 that the launch of GSAT-2, the second technology experiment satellite, is planned on board GSLV-D2 in the first week of May.

GSAT-1 was launched by GSLV-D1 on April 18, 2001.

The satellite was used to validate several technologies like Fast Recovery Star Sensor, a new Earth sensor using pyro-electric detectors and an orbit raising strategy, the sources said.

GSAT-2 would carry four C-band, two Ku-band India beam transponders and one MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) payload.

Sources said once commissioned after the three test-flights, GSLV, the most challenging technological programme undertaken by ISRO till date, would enable India to launch its communication satellites like INSAT from within the country.

At the moment, India has to depend on outside agencies at a considerable monetary liability.

The sources said GSAT-2 would also carry instruments to conduct experiments like total radiation does monitor, surface charge potential monitor, coherent radio beacon experiment and solar X-ray spectrometer.

PTI