India will launch its first space observatory Astrosat next week, a senior space official said Monday.

"The 1.5-ton space observatory will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organization on board the country's indigenous PSLV rocket from the southern spaceport of Shriharikota on September 28, " the official said, on condition of anonymity.

"The observatory will study celestial bodies once it is placed successfully into a 650 km orbit. Six more satellites - one each from Indonesia and Canada, and four from the United States - will also be launched on board the rocket," he added.

If successful, India will join the elite club of three countries - the United States, Russia and Japan - which have launched a space observatory.

Source: Xinhua News Agency