Bangalore, Sept 11: An Israeli ultraviolet (UV) astronomy telescope will be embedded for the first time as a payload on an Indian satellite GSAT-4 which is to be launched by a heavier indigenous geo-synchronous launch vehicle (GSLV-C2) in 2005. The inclusion of the UV telescope in the experimental satellite would be precursor to India`s launch of a dedicated astronomy satellite, "Astrosat" with a UV telescope, besides a visible range telescope and x-ray telescope as its payload.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had said in New Delhi yesterday that a telescope built by Israeli Space Agency (ISA) would be launched on an Indian satellite but did not elaborate. "Israelis had developed the UV telescope for putting it in a Russian satellite which did not materialise. Now we are launching it on our satellite (GSAT-4) on an experimental basis," Indian Space Research Organisation sources told a news agency here today.

"The arrangement is on a cooperative basis and this is the first of the several proposals between Indian and Israel which has turned concrete," the sources said.

ISRO last year had signed an agreement with ISA to partner in space activities between the two countries. Former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan had visited Israel a few months ago to discuss several issues on mutual cooperation in space including suggestions by Israel to jointly develop and launch a communication satellite into space.

Bureau Report