The much-delayed Indian satellite Insat-3C is now all set for a 23 January liftoff.

According to satellite launch partner Arianespace, the Ariane 4 rocket, which will be used for Flight 147 is now ready, following the integration of Insat-3C atop the vehicle. Final checkout of the spacecraft and launcher are now underway, on schedule, for the 23 January launch, the space agency reports.

Insat-3C will be the eighth Indian satellite boosted into orbit by Europe's Ariane launcher, and it will provide telecommunications and TV transmission services for the Indian subcontinent. Last week, Isro chairman K Kasturirangan had said that the launch window of Insat-3C will open on 22 January, although he did not give any definite dates about the actual launch.

Insat-3C will be launched from Kourou in French Guyana. The satellite was earlier scheduled for launch in November 2001 on an Ariane-5 rocket but after a flight failure, the launch vehicle was changed to an Ariane-4 rocket. The satellite was then to be launched on 16 January, but last minute preparations pushed the launch date further ahead. If all goes well, India will now have Insat-3C in orbit within the next week.

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