It's official. INSAT-3A, the multipurpose satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation, has been scheduled for launch by Ariane-5 vehicle of Arianespace in the early hours of April 9 from Kourou in French Guyana.

Third in the INSAT-3 series, the 2950kg satellite will provide telecom, television broadcasting, meteorology and satellite-aided search and rescue services.

According to ISRO sources in Bangalore, the satellite will carry 12 C-band, 6 upper extended C-band, 6 Ku-band, and one search and rescue transponders.

The meteorological instruments consist of a very high resolution radiometer, a charge coupled device, a camera, and a data relay transponder, the sources added.

The launch of this satellite was put off twice, first owing to the European Ariane 5 crash in December 2002. The explosion of flight 157 also delayed its shipping to the South American launch pad at Kourou in January and its launch in February 2003.

The Columbia accident on February 1 again forced the European Space Agency as well as ISRO to postpone the launch.

The satellite will be launched along with Panamsat's Galaxy 12 as a co-passenger.