Bangalore: India's space scientists are readying with last minute tests a state-of-the-art satellite expected to give a major boost to application of remote sensing in resource management for mid- October launch.

Sources in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that tests on IRS-P6 (Resourcesat) are at the "eleventh hour" and the spacecraft is slated to be shipped within a week to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota island, about 100 kms North of Chennai, for the launch scheduled between October 10 and October 20.

"The tests are in final stages...and the launch window is open from October 10 and 20," said an ISRO scientist closely associated with the project.

According to ISRO, IRS-P6 is mainly for resource applications.

"It will not only provide service continuity to IRS-IC and IRS-ID, but also enhance the service capabilities in the areas of agriculture, disaster management, land and water resources, with better resolution imageries," the space agency said.

Sources said the remote sensing satellite will carry a multi-spectral camera "LISS-3" providing 23.5 metres spatial resolution in four spectral brands with a swath of 140 kms, a high resolution multi-spectral camera "LISS-4" with across track steerability providing 5.8 metres spatial resolution and 23.5 km swath and operating in three spectral brands; and an Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWIFS) with a spatial resolution better than 56 metres in three spectral bands and providing a swath of 740 kms.

PTI