The Technology Experiment Satellite (TES), launched on 22 October by ISRO‘s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C3) from Sriharikota in southern India, is functioning well, according to the space research agency.

Tests on various subsystems like telemetry, command and power have been completed. The Satellite Positioning System (SPS), which helps in accurate determination of the satellite‘s location, has also been tested. The data handling systems will be tested in the coming days before the camera payload on board is turned on, an official release says.

The satellite is being monitored from the Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC) of ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore along with its network of stations at Lucknow, Mauritius and Bearslake in Russia. The two other satellites, PROBA of Belgium and BIRD of Germany, which were launched by PSLV along with India‘s TES, are also reported to be functioning well.

In a previous launch in May 1999, PSLV had launched Indian IRS-P4, German DLR-TUBSAT and Korean KITSAT-3. While TES and BIRD will be placed in a 568 km sun-synchronous orbit, the third satellite, PROBA, will be placed in an elliptical orbit of 568 x 638 km, which will be achieved by firing the Reaction Control Thrusters of the fourth stage of PSLV-C3.

The TES, weighing 1108 kg, is an experimental satellite to demonstrate and validate, in orbit, technologies that could be used in the future satellites of ISRO. Some of the technologies that are planned to be demonstrated in TES are altitude and orbit control system, high torque reaction wheels, new reaction control system with optimised thrusters and a single propellant tank, light weight spacecraft structure, solid state recorder, X-band phased array antenna, improved satellite positioning system, miniaturised TTC and power system and, two-mirror-on-axis camera optics. TES also carries a panchromatic camera for remote sensing experiments.

Creative Eye has shelved its plans of making programmes for all of national Doordarshan‘s 13 regional channels.

The Dheeraj Kumar promoted production house had earlier this year aimed at entering the southern regional market by producing prime time soaps for all DD‘s language channels. "DD‘s regional channels have no visibility", says Wing Cdr D Dass, executive director of the company, citing the reason for pulling out. In effect, Creative Eye has distanced itself from DD and has moved towards satellite channels, which will provide increased margins. The company‘s earlier 60 per cent dependence on DD will be cut down to 30 per cent in the coming months, he says.

The dubbed Telugu version of Om Namoh Narayan, which was aired on DDK Hyderabad earlier this year, was pulled out after a 10-week run. The plan for a Malayalam daily soap for Doordarshan has also been shelved.

Its second quarter results are nothing to write home about, and Creative Eye squarely blames DD for all its woes. Its income from operations continue to slump (Rs 33.4 million) compared to previous years‘ figures, and projected revenues at the end of this fiscal are expected to touch just RS 300 million. The company came out with an IPO late last year but has not been able to live up to investors‘ expectations - its profits will not be more than Rs 40 - 50 million this year, according to Dass.

The company, however, is not in maintenance mode, he insists. Says Dass, the company is spending Rs 30 million to upgrade and add the additional facilities to the existing studios, one in Kailash Plaza and another, Swati Studio, which the company has taken on a 19-year lease contract. Plans are in the pipeline to invest Rs 20 million to set up another studio, he adds.

Creative Eye has also initiated outsourcing the production of its serials, in an effort to boost creativity. While a large part of Jaane Anjaane‘s scripting, editing and directing has been outsourced, many of its pending pilots (Insaaniyat - a daily soap awaiting scheduling by DD -, Kya Beti Paaraya Dhan Hai and Tulsi Mere Angan Ki) have also been outsourced.