The Launch Authorisation Board of ISRO has permitted commencement of the countdown for the launch of PSLV-C21. The launch vehicle carries French Satellite SPOT-6 and Japanese Satellite PROITERES. This will be the 100th mission of Indian Space Research Organisation which will be witnessed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Sunday, September 9th.

India has launched 27 foreign satellites from space station Sriharikota till now, excluding the two being launched now. An ISRO release says that propellant-filling operations of the liquid propellant second stage and fourth stage of the launch vehicle will be carried out during the Countdown. Besides, mandatory checks on the launch vehicle and spacecraft will be carried out. In addition, charging of batteries and pressurisation of propellant tanks onboard the satellite will be performed.

Readiness of various ground systems such as tracking radar systems and communication networks will also be ascertained. A PSLV-C21 launch vehicle will inject SPOT-6 and PROITERES satellites into an orbit of 655 km altitude at an inclination of 98.23 degrees.