The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning a lift-off of the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-C18) from the spaceport at Sriharikota on 12 October.

The rocket will put four satellites, which includes Megha-Tropiques, SRM Sat, Jugnu and VesselSat, into orbit.

The 1,000kg Megha-Tropiques satellite is a joint project of ISRO and the French space agency, and will help understand the behaviour of Indian monsoons and occurrence of cyclones, floods and droughts.

SRM Sat was built by the students of SRM University near Chennai, and Jugnu is a satellite integrated by students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, while VesselSat is from Luxembourg.

The readiness review for the 20th PSLV to be launched will take place on 9 October 2011, according to thehindu.com.